Police bust ‘white tsunami’ cocaine ring at Charles de Gaulle airport

French authorities have busted a cocaine ring run out of Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris that involved an “aspiring” customs officer and a drug mule who allegedly swallowed more than 2Ib of cocaine worth £62,660.

Two men, aged 19 and 23, appeared in criminal court over the weekend on charges of drug trafficking, following a months-long investigation that focused on arrivals coming from France’s overseas department of French Guiana on the north-east coast of South America.

French investigators called the operation “white tsunami” in reference to the massive amounts of cocaine smuggled from French Guiana to France via paid drug mules, reported Le Parisien. They estimate that 20 per cent of cocaine in France comes from drug mules travelling through Paris airports.

On Dec 26, police arrested a 19-year-old airport security worker, originally from French Guiana, who moved to mainland France in 2019. After failing business management studies in Reims, he moved to a Paris suburb and worked as Charles de Gaulle airport as security staff.

‘Immature’ suspect

Described as “immature” and addicted to sports betting, it was also noted by the public prosecutor that the young man hoped to become a customs officer. He was allegedly paid €1,000 (£870) for every 2Ib of drugs that was recovered.

After arriving in Paris, the cocaine is then distributed throughout France to locations including Lyon, Courchevel and Avallon to supply local drug networks.

The suspect has no prior criminal record and was in financial difficulty, his lawyer said.

The mule, identified as Jeremy, agreed to swallow 126 balloons of cocaine weighing 2.6Ibs. The resale value of the drugs he carried in his stomach was estimated at €72,000 (£62,660). He came from a modest family and had just enlisted in the army.

Drug mules risk death

Mules risk death as balloons can burst in their stomach. They are known to take medication to inhibit bowel movements and refrain from eating or drinking during the flight.

In December, six men were given heavy prison sentences in a Paris court for operating a drug trafficking “call centre” that involved the delivery of cocaine and the drug stimulant 3-MMC or metaphedrone, also known as a cheaper alternative to cocaine, to at least 100 customers a day throughout greater Paris.