France, U.S., and New Zealand seize 4.24 tonnes of cocaine in French Polynesia in joint operation.

French, New Zealand, and U.S. authorities intercepted 4.24 tonnes of cocaine in French Polynesia during a joint operation, marking a major disruption of transnational drug trafficking. The seizure, part of Operation Kiwa, involved a French Navy vessel and aerial surveillance, with intelligence support from New Zealand’s Customs, Defence Force, and GCSB. The vessel and its crew were released without prosecution under international law, citing court burden and the drugs’ non-destination to French Polynesia. This follows a similar large-scale seizure in January, highlighting growing regional cooperation to combat Pacific drug routes.