Lyon customs officials seized more than 403 kg of herbal cannabis hidden in a load of watermelons.
The catch took place on September 21, we learn this Friday.
The drugs were thus hidden in a truck, stopped at the Vienne-Reventin (Isère) tollbooth during a road check.
The vehicle was registered in Germany.
The driver, in his fifties, was alone on board, customs said.
He explained that he had picked up the fruit in Spain to ensure delivery across the Rhine.
He spontaneously presented a transport document mentioning 19 pallets for 38 cases of watermelons for a total weight of 20 tonnes.
A value of 706,000 euros
When the semi-trailer was opened, customs officers noticed the presence of bags containing herbal cannabis, placed between the pallets of the load.
The thorough search and full unloading of the truck revealed the presence of a total of 314 bags containing 403.560 kg of herbal cannabis, representing a value of 706,230 euros.
The driver, who said he was unaware of the presence of these narcotics, is to be tried this Friday in immediate appearance before the Vienna court.
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Lyon
Customs
Drug
Cannabis
Drug traffic