Significant drug trafficking between a couple from Ardéchois and drug dealers from Lyon and its suburbs was dismantled between May and June 2022, after 14 months of investigation. It all started in April 2021, when the research brigade of Tournon-sur-Rhône (Ardèche) was seized of an investigation for drug trafficking. Investigations “as part of the extension of a file that started in the Loire department”, explains in a press release the public prosecutor of Privas Monday, July 4. Investigations are continuing between the Ardèche and the Lyon area and finally lead to three waves of arrests “between May 11 and June 16, 2022”. In total 16 suspects were arrested.
A vast operation and significant seizures
These three waves of arrests mobilized a total of 200 gendarmes from Ardèche, Rhône and the Interministerial Research Group (GIRP) from Lyon. Among the important seizures during the searches: 363kg of cannabis resin, 2.5kg of cocaine, 6kg of herbal cannabis, 63,000 euros in cash, 4 handguns including a submachine gun and a shotgun. 1.5 million euros of real estate, life insurance contracts and deposit accounts were also seized.
A total of 12 suspects are now indicted7 of them are remanded in custody, one is under house arrest, the other four are under judicial control.