PARIS, France (AFP) — Customs officials seized more than seven tonnes of cannabis in three vehicles parked in an upmarket area of Paris, France’s finance minister said Sunday, in what is thought to be the biggest ever such haul in the capital.

The discovery overnight Saturday to Sunday is the result of a weeks-long investigation by the National Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigations, but no suspects have yet been detained, said sources close to the investigation.

“The drugs were found in empty vehicles, parked on a boulevard, that were obviously being used as temporary and mobile storage places,” Michel Sapin said in a statement.

The cannabis was in big bags in the trunks of the vehicles in Paris’s 16th district, and altogether, the total value of the 7.1 tonnes seized is thought to be at least 15 million euros ($17 million).

The seizure is the biggest in France over the past two years and is thought to be the largest ever in Paris, said one of the sources, who refused to be named.

Cannabis is the most popular drug in Europe and consumption is on the increase, particularly in France where demand is estimated at around 300 tonnes a year, according to authorities.

Possession or consumption of cannabis represent more than 60 per cent of all offences linked to drugs in Europe.