- Six people are placed under judicial control in the case of the clandestine tourist site of l'Estaque, in the north of Marseille.
- Five men are suspected of having managed this mini-tourist complex which notably organized illegal sea trips in the creeks.
- An accomplice, who worked for the port authorities, is suspected of having informed them that the police were interested in their business.
“He drove a Jaguar while receiving the disabled adult allowance. It is a former close to one of the suspects who testifies thus, this Friday, in 20 Minutes . Eight people were arrested Wednesday for acts of covert work committed by an organized gang. Six men were placed under judicial supervision this Friday evening, announces prosecutor Dominique Laurens. Two boats, 9,000 euros and 20 kilos of cannabis were seized in L'Estaque, in the north of Marseille.
They are forbidden to talk to each other, to present themselves on the Quai de la Lava, to manage any business. The prosecution also requires them to check in regularly to ensure that they will appear in court next November.
Five of them "carried out their activities without authorization from an association room located within the walls of the autonomous port of Marseille", explains Dominique Laurens. "They had a monopoly on the launching of boats in the area," says a regular at L'Estaque 20 Minutes .
"End of recess"
The sixth man, who worked for the port authorities, "knew that we were working for them and threw us on the air", summarizes the commissioner Patrick Longuet. Appointed in May 2019 in Marseille, the boss of the North Division, answered our questions at length, because he wishes to whistle "the end of recess":
Every day we drop stupid points. Two days ago, we picked up 35 suction cup cars that the choufs (lookouts) use to sleep on the plans. We do weekly major cleaning operations. "
The case of the tourist site of Lava was directly linked to drug trafficking. “As always in Marseille,” sighs Patrick Longuet. Cannabis was almost over-the-counter in this snack bar - shisha bar - rooftop - jet ski rental - underground hotel.
A "scandal" for Samia Ghali
Some dealers came to celebrate their big shots. But for years, many young people from the northern districts and tourists came to party there, without knowing that the structure had no legal existence. The suspects had taken up their quarters on sites belonging to the large maritime port of Marseille and to the city.
For Commissioner Patrick Longuet, “we are in a phenomenon of the appropriation of the territory by thugs. The large autonomous port has filed a complaint and refuses to comment. The town hall of Marseille also remains silent. The former sector mayor Samia Ghali, now second deputy mayor of Marseille, only informed 20 Minutes that she considers it a "scandal." "
Miscellaneous
Marseille: “They had a monopoly! »An eighth arrest in the case of the clandestine tourist site
Miscellaneous
Marseille: Hookah bar, sea scooter and rooftop trips… An underground tourist complex dismantled
What will become of this location?
"We will see, it will depend on what the prefecture wants to do," said a source familiar with the matter. The facilities could be destroyed and the site could be taken over by its legitimate owner: the large autonomous port of Marseille.
- Samia Ghali
- Police
- Miscellaneous
- Tourism
- Northern districts
- Marseilles
- Drug traffic