France Reports Record 2025 Drug Seizures as Government Begins Customs Reinforcement Plan

Overview

• French customs seized more than 31 tonnes of cocaine in 2025, a 49% rise year over year, contributing to nearly 109 tonnes of drugs valued at about €2.2 billion.
• The annual report identifies the port of Le Havre as the main entry point for cocaine into mainland France and highlights mounting pressure in the Antilles–Guyane zone and along the Franco‑Spanish border.
• After President Emmanuel Macron called in late January for a “plan douanes massif,” officials say implementation has begun, including faster scanner deployments and a Douanes 2030 roadmap focused on technology and intelligence.
• Customs unions from the CFDT and CGT say agents lack manpower and equipment at critical sites such as Le Havre and note that the recently voted budget does not add new positions.
• Beyond narcotics, authorities reported substantial seizures of firearms and counterfeit goods, warned about untraceable “ghost guns,” and flagged surging low‑value e‑commerce parcels largely from Shein, Temu and AliExpress.