France customs seize 198 kg cocaine hidden in trucks

French customs officials uncovered two major cocaine shipments concealed in freight trucks. On 17 July 2026, officers in the Côte‑d’Or region inspected a Spanish‑registered truck at the La Loyère rest area and found 165 kg of cocaine hidden inside a modified air‑conditioning compartment. The 32‑year‑old Spanish driver was placed in pre‑trial detention.

A week later, on 22 July 2026, a routine check near Perpignan revealed another concealed load, this time 33 kg of cocaine in a truck carrying textile pallets. The 37‑year‑old Croatian driver was found guilty of negligence, receiving eight months in prison and a €1.485 million customs fine, though he was not convicted of trafficking.