Drug trafficking around Alès: nine people arrested by the GIGN

Weapons, money and nearly 1 million euros; drugs were seized by the police.

Thursday evening, the arrival of the GIGN gendarmes from Orange was filmed by a motorist at the exit of the dual carriageway, in Alès. The soldiers have just taken action. They arrested several individuals in a vehicle transporting narcotics.

The soldiers, on edge for a month, were waiting steadfastly for the delivery to take place in order to act in flagrante delicto.

This sensitive intervention comes at the end of an investigation by gendarmes from the Alès research brigade (BR) and the Nîmes research section (SR) operating under letters rogatory. A judicial investigation was opened last December.

The prosecution requests pre-trial detention for six of the nine suspects

Nine individuals, aged 20 to 40, including at least one woman, were taken into police custody. According to Abdelkrim Grini, the public prosecutor of Alès, these would be "seasoned delinquents, most of whom have already been convicted by the courts."

The arrests occurred in several municipalities in the Alesian basin. In the vehicle, investigators discovered 16 kg of cocaine. In the process, numerous searches were carried out.

Sale value of the seized drugs: nearly 1M€

These will prove successful since a significant quantity of narcotics are found: 150g of cannabis, 1kg of speed, 110g of amphetamines, 200g ;nbsp;g of cocaine, 170 g of ecstasy for a market value of around one million euros. From two suspects, investigators got their hands on 14,000 euros; and also discovered a Glock 9mm automatic pistol, a pump-action shotgun and a Skorpion VZ type submachine gun. A wide range of ammunition accompanies its weapons.

This Friday, the first seven defendants were brought before the investigating magistrate at the Alès courthouse. The last two will be presented this Saturday. In the end, three suspects were placed under judicial supervision.

For the other six, the Alès prosecutor's office requested placement in pre-trial detention. At least two individuals were incarcerated. The hearing before the judge of freedoms and detention ended late this Thursday.

"This operation is a satisfaction, supports prosecutor Abdelkrim Grini. The work carried out by the BR and SR investigators, the investigating judge and the prosecution paid off. This only strengthens our determination to fight against this type of trafficking."

A new drug arrives in Alès

Unlike à its name, pink cocaine, has nothing to do with it. see with classic cocaine. This drug is made from a mixture of ketamine (anesthetic) and MDMA (ecstasy) and a pink dye.

Dangerousness of this new product appearing in France in 2022, comes from its composition which can vary depending on the quantities of chemical molecules used.

The gram of this very popular product in alternative festive circles is sold between 60 and 100 € against 40 € for ketamine and 60 for MDMA.

This is the first time that this type of drug appears in a drug trafficking case in the Al&egrave sector ;s.

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