On February 2, following a tip from the National Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigations, a helicopter from the Antilles-Guyana Customs Coast Guard, while on patrol in the Dominica Channel and supported by the Armed Forces in the Antilles, detected a suspicious vessel with two outboard motors, carrying cargo, traveling from Dominica to Martinique. The patrol boat DF 291, at sea in the area of the Caravelle Peninsula, made contact with the vessel, which attempted to continue on its course by accelerating. The DF 291 then intercepted the vessel, which eventually shut off its engines. Only one person, the boat’s pilot, was on board. A search of the yole revealed the presence of bundles wrapped in black cellophane containing cartons of cigarettes, totaling 231 kg of cigarettes.
Meanwhile, early this evening in the Prêcheur area, the gendarmerie’s “Scotopélia” unit forced a boat coming from Dominica to turn back and seized 23 cartons, each containing 50 cartons of contraband cigarettes.
Source: Prefecture
