Sylvain Allemand // Credits: AFP 4:29 p.m., February 15, 2024

After several months of investigation, the gendarmes from the Rouen research section carried out a vast operation last Tuesday in Eure in the Louviers sector. This action led to the indictment of nine people suspected of being involved in significant drug trafficking. The street value of the seized drugs is estimated at 360,000 euros. 

An important haul. Last Tuesday morning, the gendarmes of the Rouen research section, helped by the soldiers of the Eure departmental gendarmerie group and the specialized protection platoon of the Penly gendarmerie in Seine-Maritime, led in the Louviers sector a vast judicial police operation aimed at neutralizing a drug sales network. Nine people suspected of being involved in this major drug trafficking were arrested and indicted.  

This action required the commitment of 90 soldiers and around ten police officers from the department. The gendarmes discovered and seized during the searches nearly 119 kg of cannabis resin, eight handguns, a 22 LR rifle, a large quantity of ammunition mainly of large calibers, more than 18,000 euros in cash, 482 cartons of counterfeit cigarettes. , a mini motorcycle, a motor vehicle as well as various luxury items. The market value of the seized narcotics is estimated at 360,000 euros. The retail resale price exceeds 950,000 euros.

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A suspect already known to law enforcement 

This operation was carried out as part of an investigation following a letter rogatory from an investigating judge of the Evreux judicial court. As in every major investigation, law enforcement searched typical types of property: large quantities of narcotics, cash, firearms and cartons of counterfeit cigarettes. The people arrested are aged 19 to 38. One of those held in custody, suspected of being at the head of the network, was already known to the research section. In June 2015, he was arrested by these same gendarmes as part of the dismantling of drug trafficking still in the Louviers sector. 

After three days in police custody, the nine people accused were referred to the Evreux judicial court and presented before the magistrate. They were indicted for drug trafficking, illicit importation of tobacco in an organized gang, criminal conspiracy and illegal possession of category B and C weapons. They face a sentence of ten years' imprisonment.