Ten people suspected of being involved in international arms, drug and human trafficking arrested in the Alpes-Maritimes

Tuesday June 9, ten people were arrested for trafficking in weapons, drugs and human beings. Searches also led to the seizure of handguns, ammunition, 31,000 euros in cash, luxury vehicles and even numerous jewelry and valuable objects.

Ten people were arrested on Tuesday June 9 in the Alpes-Maritimes. They are suspected of being involved in an “international criminal organization specializing in the trafficking of arms, narcotics and human beings”, specifies a press release from the Marseille prosecutor’s office, this Monday, June 15.

The searches led to the seizure of three handguns, ammunition, 31,000 euros in cash, four luxury vehicles, as well as numerous jewelry and valuable objects. The total amount of assets seized is currently estimated at nearly 1.5 million euros.

Ramifications in Europe and Turkey

The operation, carried out as part of a judicial investigation led by the Specialized Interregional Jurisdiction (JIRS) of Marseille, mobilized the Marseille research section, the GIGN as well as the Alpes-Maritimes departmental gendarmerie group.

The investigations, carried out in particular by the Fréjus detachment of the research section, made it possible to uncover a structured mafia-type criminal organization, suspected of fueling arms trafficking on a European scale. According to investigators, this network had branches in Türkiye, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Belgium and France.

The gendarmes were able to document the alleged role of several members in the transport and circulation of weapons on the national territory. French and Belgian police officers from Europol were present during the operation in order to facilitate cooperation with the different countries involved in the investigation.

Piloté looks like a loaded man

Ten people, all Turkish nationals, suspected of belonging to this criminal organization led by a man currently incarcerated in Turkey, were arrested and then placed in police custody.

Presented to an investigating judge, they were all indicted. Nine of them were placed in provisional detention, while the tenth was placed under judicial control.

The investigation is continuing to determine the exact extent of this network’s activities and to identify possible additional ramifications in Europe.