Police raid this Tuesday morning in the southwest of France. Twelve people suspected of engaging in drug trafficking were arrested simultaneously at their homes, before being placed in police custody. In this same case, the investigations also concern acts of kidnapping and attempted homicide by an organized gang, according to information fromActu17.
These arrests took place at 6 a.m. Investigators from the Tarbes police station (Hautes-Pyrénées) and those from the Organized and Specialized Crime Division (DCOS, former judicial police) of Toulouse, jointly responsible for the investigations, arrested the twelve suspects, with the support their colleagues from the RAID branch in Toulouse and the Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI) in Bayonne.
10,000 euros and almost five kilos of cannabis
Several suspects were arrested in Tarbes as well as in Aureilhan and Sarrouilles, two neighboring towns. The other suspects were arrested in Urrugne, a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques located on the Spanish border, as well as in Labenne (Landes) and Ludon-Médoc, north of Bordeaux (Gironde). Searches were carried out at the same time, with the help of dogs specialized in the detection of narcotics, the police discovered 1.4 kilos of cannabis resin, as well as 3.4 kilos of weed and a little more of 10,000 euros in cash, details a source close to the investigation. A thirteenth suspect was arrested during the police operation, given that he was in possession of around a hundred grams of cannabis. The suspects’ digital media were seized and will be used by investigators.
Investigations continue. Suspects may be held in custody for up to 96 hours. When requested, the Pau public prosecutor’s office has not responded for the time being.
