French authorities fear ‘narcotourists’ after ‘more than two tons of cocaine wash up on coast’
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French authorities fear ‘narcotourists’ may flock to Normandy beaches after ‘more than two tons of cocaine washed ashore’
- Local prosecutor issued public warning amid growing concern over ‘narco-tourism’
- Residents have also reported an influx of strangers in luxury cars visiting the area.
French authorities fear “narcotourists” could travel to Normandy beaches after more than two tons of cocaine reportedly washed ashore.
Locals in the coastal town in northern France have reported an influx of strangers in luxury cars visiting the area since the A-class drugs were found on the beach earlier this week.
Phillipe Astruc, the local public prosecutor, issued a public health warning yesterday amid growing concerns over ‘narco-tourism’, The Guardian reports.
Cocaine is said to be around 80% to 90% pure and poses a health risk to members of the public, with Astruc warning that it could be ‘deadly’ if consumed.
He said: “The fact of taking possession of one of these packages and transporting it is an offense that carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.”
Packages discovered on the beach in Normandy, northern France, earlier this week. How they got there is unknown.
Cocaine is said to be around 80% to 90% pure and poses a health risk to members of the public.
He added: “At this time, we don’t know the purity of this substance.”
Several parcels have so far been discovered along the coast in Néville-sur-mer, Omonville-la-Rogue and Réville, with a total street value of around £133m.
Astruc recalled the death of a man who used cocaine that reached the western coast of the country in 2019.
For his part, the mayor of Reville Yves Asseline said: ‘The sea brings us many things, but this is obviously very unusual. We have seen people arriving in 4x4s, new cars or ATVs on the beach, sometimes at dawn with headlamps.’
Armed officers have been patrolling the area for more packages, although it is unclear where the drugs came from.
It is believed that the cocaine may have been thrown overboard by dealers or released from a boat in inclement weather.
Dranguet Beach, Reville, where drugs with a street value of around £133 million were discovered
It comes after £53m worth of drugs, including “very pure” cocaine, mysteriously washed up in packages along the French coast, prompting warnings of an “immediate health risk” in November 2019.
More than 760 kg (1,657 lb) of drug packages were discovered on beaches, including Le Porge and Capbreton, along the Atlantic coast in southwestern France.