Rhône prison drone drug trafficking network dismantled

Authorities in the Rhône region have dismantled an organized drug trafficking network that used drones to deliver contraband to the Villefranche-sur-Saône prison. The operation revealed a highly efficient system that conducted approximately 1,850 deliveries over a period of 51 days.

During a recent intervention, police intercepted a minor from Lyon near the facility while he was operating a drone. Upon his arrest, investigators recovered six packages intended for inmates, which contained 230 grams of cannabis resin, two iPhones, five SIM cards, and three packs of cigarettes. The drone involved in the incident reportedly crashed inside the correctional facility.

The investigation, involving the Groupe local anti-stupéfiants (GLAS) and the Lyon research section, has led to five arrests. The suspects utilized sophisticated logistics to coordinate remote deliveries, marking a significant use of modern technology for criminal activity within the prison system.