Drug trafficking: we explain how 325 police officers and gendarmes dismantled the largest drug trafficking network in the city of Cahors

“An operation to neutralize drug trafficking on an unprecedented scale”, on “a network which held the largest share of drug trafficking in the town of Cahors”. These comments made by Clara Ribeiro, public prosecutor, just five days after the dismantling launched on Monday April 13, at 6 a.m., provide a glimpse of the extraordinary raid carried out by the police and gendarmes at the start of the week in the Lot.

That day, after more than a year of investigation under the direction of Morgane Raffy, vice-prosecutor, a team of 325 law enforcement officers took action, simultaneously, in different districts of the city of Cahors. From 6 a.m., this coordinated deployment made it possible, 30 minutes later, to question 18 people out of the twenty targeted objectives.

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Drug trafficking: 315 police officers and gendarmes mobilized this morning to dismantle a vast network of traffickers in the Lot

“We came to deal a blow to traffic in Cahors, thanks to this intervention, with strong responsiveness and a strong presence,” confirmed divisional commissioner Philippe Surlapierre, in turn emphasizing “the excellent cooperation of the two police forces and gendarmerie of the department, from the start of the investigation in 2024 until the operational aspect”. An observation shared by the Lot gendarmerie colonel, Bertrand Loddé, who recalled that this result followed a year and a half of investigation.

The trial set for Friday June 5

“If such means were engaged, revealed Morgane Raffy, it is because there were many targeted protagonists, including the network heads, in five different places, such as the Terre-Rouge and Sainte-Valérie districts, requiring at the same time the security of these areas. This commitment made it possible to avoid any attempt at reaction, moreover the city remained calm in the hours that followed, because we had not left the door open to other events.”

It is therefore a well-structured organization which has fallen. “Today, we presented eight individuals to the judge of freedoms and detention, who ruled on security measures for seven of them, who have just been placed in pre-trial detention for drug trafficking, money laundering and violence. They will appear on June 5 before the Cahors court. Another individual was placed under judicial supervision, four will be judged in deferred time, four others in CRPC (on prior recognition of guilt).

Among the protagonists presented to justice, there are people of all ages, twenty years old, forty or even 70 years old. Overall, they are mostly Cadurcians, rooted in the Lot, sometimes dual nationals. “All of them constituted an important link in the functioning of this drug trafficking chain,” said Clara Ribeiro.

During the searches, the police seized 5.2 kg of cannabis, estimated at €10/g, the equivalent of €52,000; but also 325 g of cocaine representing €20,000, as well as €81,500 in cash, very similar fake weapons. They also seized six vehicles, a scooter, computer equipment and designer clothing.

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€81,500 in cash, 5 kg of cannabis, 325 g of cocaine and fake weapons: drug trafficking dismantled by 325 police officers and gendarmes this morning

Forty consumers also worried in this case

But the matter does not end there. “If people sell drugs, others use them,” insisted the prosecutor, mentioning the figure of forty identified users who were subject to care obligations, citizen contributions or criminal orders, depending on their levels of addiction.

For Philippe Surlapierre: “Dealers and consumers are not welcome. We have won a battle against this scourge, we have the determination in this fight.” To illustrate their point, the authorities outlined their strategy of no respite: “In June 2024, during a direct intervention in these same places, we initiated the beginning of the destabilization of drug trafficking, bringing down a first point of deal. We will launch these punchy actions regularly. We will maintain the pressure”.

Visibly or discreetly, deployment and vigilance will therefore continue in Cahors, and reinforcement support, once again, is not excluded.