Eleven people arrested around Toulouse, for drug trafficking
Eleven people were arrested Tuesday, January 31 around Toulouse (Haute-Garonne) in the context of drug trafficking. In a press release, the gendarmerie of the Occitanie Region explains that for almost a year, an investigation has been carried out in western Toulouse.
Over the course of their investigations, the gendarmes come to understand the functioning of the organization, and identify most of the actors of the traffic. A judicial investigation is then opened on July 25, 2022, at the request of the public prosecutor of Toulouse, for acquisition, possession, sale, unauthorized transport of narcotics and money laundering.
On January 31, 2023, investigators from the Toulouse-Mirail Research Brigade observe, from Spain to France, an import convoy made up of three vehicles, including a heavy goods vehicle, which is traveling on the A9 motorway. As the heavyweight continues on its way to the Gard, the two vehicles branch off at Narbonne, and head towards Toulouse via the A61.
Arrests in Tournefeuille, and in the Toulouse region
An arrest is then carried out in Tournefeuille by the gendarmes, with the support of the GIGN antenna in Toulouse. The soldiers challenge the three conveyors.
These arrests then lead to a wave of eight other arrests in several places in the Toulouse conurbation. The four gendarmerie companies of the Haute-Garonne department are particularly mobilized on this operation: Toulouse-Mirail, Saint-Gaudens, Muret, Villefranche-de-Lauragais). The heavyweight driver was arrested in the Gard by the Gard and Hérault gendarmes.
These operations led to the seizure of 35 kilos of drugs (including 29 kilos of herbal cannabis and 5 of resin). 25,000 euros in cash were also seized, as were seven weapons (3 long guns and 4 handguns). The truck and seven other vehicles were also confiscated. “In total, the operation made it possible to seize €119,923 of criminal assets” indicates the gendarmerie. The eleven people arrested will be presented before the investigating judge this Friday, February 3.