Climbing for a moment in a confiscated Lamborghini, parked in front of Bercy, the Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire, for his part, launched to the press: "If someone has 150,000 euros, that's the starting bet, but I hope it will earn us more ".

Luxury cars, prestigious wines, master watchmakers' watches ... The 310 lots of objects seized or confiscated in the context of criminal proceedings, will be auctioned on Friday in Bercy on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Agence de management and recovery of seized and confiscated assets (Agrasc) placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice.

During a press conference at the Ministry of the Economy, Eric Dupond-Moretti wanted "the confiscation" of property to be extended and not be limited to "the fight against economic and financial crime or organized crime" .

A Richard Mille watch that will be auctioned with other valuables seized by justice, November 5, 2021 in Paris Eric PIERMONT AFP

"This property sanction (...) must also become an instrument in the fight against everyday delinquency in order to ensure that crime no longer pays, that misdemeanor no longer pays. In other words, we are going to hit criminals with the wallet. ", insisted Eric Dupond-Moretti.

The 310 lots intended to be auctioned off are notably the result of confiscations linked to money laundering or drug trafficking, according to the National Directorate of State Interventions (DNID), co-organizer of the sale.

"It's a virtuous circle," commented the Minister of Justice in front of a diamond displayed in a display, the proceeds of which will partly compensate a victim.

Louis Vuitton bags and shoes that will be auctioned with other valuables seized by justice, November 5, 2021 in Paris Eric PIERMONT AFP

The sum raised by the sale of these goods, put at a price of 30 euros (a bicycle) to 150,000 (the Lamborghini), will be paid "to the state budget or to aid funds, for example for the fight against 'addiction to drugs or the fight against pimping,' Agrasc director general Nicolas Bessone told AFP.

According to him, 6,000 people have already registered for the sale.

Mr. Dupond-Moretti also welcomed a "paradigm shift" with the signing of a decree entering into force Thursday and "which will allow Agrasc to redistribute property (confiscated real estate) to associations of public utility ( like) charities. "

Agrasc has sold seized and confiscated property worth 1.5 billion euros since its creation in 2011.

Bottles of Petrus Pomerol auctioned with other valuables seized by justice, November 5, 2021 in Paris Eric PIERMONT AFP

In March 2021, it opened branches in Marseille and Lyon, which have since contributed 28 million euros to the general state budget.

"In view of these results", it will have two new branches in Lille and Renne next spring, announced the Minister of Justice.

© 2021 AFP