The operation had been in the pipeline since this summer.
But it was not until the beginning of October for it to materialize, so much did it require flawless organization.
"This is a first in Seine-et-Marne," says squadron leader Patrick Martinez, the boss of the departmental road safety squadron (EDSR).
Monday evening, between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m., the gendarmes of Seine-et-Marne and the customs officers of Ile de France combined their strength to organize a mass check on the A5 and A6 motorways, towards the capital .
Acting on requisitions from the prosecution of Melun and Fontainebleau, the gendarmes of the EDSR of Seine-et-Marne, supported by staff from the companies of Melun and Provins, as well as customs officers from several departments of Île-de-France , have deployed great means.
Supported by dog teams, intervention teams, or dedicated to the fight against immigration and false documents, they took over the tolls of Fleury-en-Bière, Nemours, or even Ury on the A6, as well as the barrier des Eprunes and Saint-Germain-Laxis on the A5.
Arrested by customs officers with 111,000 euros in cash
On the highway of the sun, the soldiers have squarely set up a roadblock to pass the vehicles through the rest area of Achères-la-Forêt. And for those who would have been tempted to dodge control, a rapid intervention vehicle, a helicopter and motorcyclists were also mobilized. Behind the gas station, the police have shared the roles. On the one hand, customs officials who have checked more than three hundred goods transport vehicles, ranging from semi-trailers to 3.5-tonne utility vehicles. On the other, the gendarmes, who took care of as many passenger vehicles.
Assessment of this evening: no less than 35 procedures were established, all relating to the discoveries of narcotic products (cannabis and cocaine), category D weapons (butterfly knife, switchblade knife, baseball bat ... ), or even counterfeit luxury leather goods. Seven administrative procedures relating to the verification of the right to stay were opened against foreigners of Brazilian, Tunisian, Egyptian or Georgian nationality.
Some drivers tested positive for drugs or alcohol, and had their license withheld and their vehicle impounded for seven days.
Finally, the occupants of a commercial vehicle were discovered in possession of large quantities of cash, mainly Swiss currency for a sum equivalent to nearly 111,000 euros.
Not having fulfilled the declaration obligations, the customs officers initiated a procedure against them for which a fine of up to 25% of the sum could be decided.
“We are very satisfied,” comments Patrick Martinez.
We realize that traffickers do not have specific days to travel and that even on a Monday evening, there are a lot of delinquents on the roads.
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