“XXL net square”: 6 anti-drug operations underway in Paris and its suburbs as well as in Marseille, Lyon, Lille, Dijon and Clermont-Ferrand

Sylvain Allemand // Credits: Fiora Garenzi / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP 11:21 a.m., March 27, 2024

The noose is tightening around traffickers. Paris and its suburbs as well as Lyon, Lille, Clermont-Ferrand and Dijon are currently the theaters of six simultaneous “XXL net square” operations. Maneuvers announced on X by the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, which have already given rise to 867 arrests. “They have given rise to 867 arrests so far and the seizure of numerous weapons and significant financial resources. We are not giving up,” declared the tenant of Place Beauvau. 

6 “Place Net XXL” anti-drug operations are underway in Paris (including Seine-Saint-Denis and Hauts-de-Seine), Marseille, Lyon, Lille, Clermont-Ferrand and Dijon. They have given rise to 867 arrests so far and the seizure of numerous weapons and important...

— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) March 27, 2024

An operation in direct continuity with the raid carried out in Marseille on March 18. In a surprise visit, Emmanuel Macron promised that other similar operations would take place in around ten cities in France. The head of state also announced that 82 arrests had taken place in the Marseille city.

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An operation to counter traffickers 

“Place Net XXL” is an unprecedented operation set up by the executive to stop the establishment of drug trafficking in the main French cities. These actions by the police consist of carrying out arrests, searches, dismantling of "nurse" apartments (person who hides and keeps drugs for traffickers in exchange for remuneration), cleanings and occupation of the premises. public space by law enforcement personnel to prevent the deal from resuming in targeted areas.