The SY Silandra was boarded by officers from the French Customs Coastguard 125 miles off Martinique on Wednesday, April 15. The vessel was about to begin a trans-Atlantic crossing. The seizure was the result of a major investigation lasting many months involving the NCA, French, Spanish and Grenadian authorities. The three crew members — two Spanish and one Venezuelan — were arrested and are now in custody on Martinique. The boat was stuffed with 80 bales of cocaine weighing a total of 2.2 tonnes. It is believed to be one of the biggest ever seizures made by the French authorities. Read more at www.pbo.co.uk.
