Cocaine smugglers

Alleged cocaine smugglers to be tried in Tahiti

Their detention is the latest following a series of recent police operations intercepting huge quantities of drugs on yachts.

In all cases the suspects have been transferred to France, but this time the suspects - two Dutchmen and a Pole - will face the court in French Polynesia.

The three arrived in a catamaran in Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas islands from Costa Rica.

The prosecutor said the men said they didn't know they had 500 kilogrammes of cocaine on board.

He said the drugs were probably destined for the Australian market.

Alleged cocaine smugglers to be tried in New Caledonia

The Lithuanian and Latvian men were intercepted by the French navy last week when they were sailing from South America towards Australia.

The 1.4 tonnes of cocaine have since been destroyed in the high-capacity furnace of the SLN nickel smelter in Noumea.

The four could face jail of up to 30 years.

They reportedly said they were unaware the drugs were on their Gibraltar-registered yacht.

 

Photo: AFP French Navy vessel Le Vendémiaire