Fighter jets fight off drug smuggling planes, raining drugs over French countryside



A tourist plane that was flying in a no-fly zone in

the Ardèche department of France made an emergency landing at a nearby airport under the guidance of the Rafale multi-role fighter jet. It was later discovered that the tourist plane was smuggling drugs.

Drugs rain down on French countryside after fighter jet intercepts suspected smuggler | Fox News
https://www.foxnews.com/world/drugs-rain-down-french-countryside-fighter-jet-intercepts-suspected-smuggler



Drugs rain down on French countryside after fighter jet intercepts suspected smuggler flying through restricted air space | Sky News Australia

https://www.skynews.com.au/world-news/drugs-rain-down-on-french-countryside-after-fighter-jet-intercepts-suspected-smuggler-flying-through-restricted-air-space/ news-story/3d5b46e8b5727ec2f511fcf62b1dc671

According to a statement from security authorities, they received information that a one-seater tourist plane was flying in a no-fly zone near a nuclear power plant, and dispatched a Rafale to check on the situation. The Rafale pilot said the person flying the tourist plane appeared agitated in the cockpit and was acting 'very erratically.'



Within minutes of the Rafale's arrival, the pilot of the tourist plane opened the plane's door and dumped the cargo from the sky. The plane was then guided by a Rafale to make an emergency landing on a runway in Ranas, Ardèche, and the pilot was arrested.



According to the local prosecutor's office, 15 dumped packages have already been recovered, and an estimated 30 kg of 'white powder' has been found inside. The identity of this powder is currently being analyzed.

In addition, drugs worth an estimated 45,000 euros (about 7 million yen) were found in the cockpit and pilot's bag. Authorities said the pilot was a Polish national with a previous drug conviction.



Drug smuggling has been occurring one after another in France, and in March 2023, more than 2 tons of cocaine was discovered on the coast of northern France. According to the French Ministry of the Interior, a record 156.7 tons of drugs will be seized in 2022.

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