French police crack down on drugs, fraud and contraband in Haute-Marne and Vénissieux

On the evening of 6 May, gendarmes in Haute‑Marne, supported by customs officers, carried out a large‑scale operation on the A31 motorway near Rolampont. Thirty‑six gendarmes and nine customs agents inspected traffic from Nancy to Dijon, intercepting 160 vehicles and checking 210 people. The raid resulted in the seizure of 22 kg of contraband tobacco, 16 g of heroin, 3 g of cocaine and 2 g of cannabis, and five vehicles were towed. About twenty offences were recorded, prompting several prosecutions.

A similar police action took place in Vénissieux on 5‑6 May under the Rhône department’s “daily security restoration” plan. Ninety‑three agents—including national police, municipal police, customs and URSSAF staff—conducted identity checks, transport security, anti‑fraud inspections and building visits. Eighteen people were detained, among them three minors and three irregular migrants. Authorities seized 1.8 kg of narcotics, €1,400 of illicit cash, 24 packs of cigarettes and medical tablets, and imposed 19 fines. Two hygiene violations were also recorded, and a vehicle was impounded.