“The prefecture’s objective, with a view to the Olympic Games, is simple.
Everything must be as clean as possible in the area which will welcome the athletes and spectators”: it was time for the briefing, Thursday morning, at the Torcy police headquarters and Commissioner Mathieu Fayemendy gave his instructions, before the start.
In front of him: police officers in plain clothes and uniforms, obviously, but also representatives of customs, taxes and the departmental directorate for population protection (DDPP), a service responsible – among other missions – for ensuring the security of the consumers and the quality of their food.
They were brought together within the framework of a Codaf.
Co-chaired by the prefect and the prosecutor, this “departmental anti-fraud operational committee” regularly organizes concerted operations to combat all types of fraud.
Long and careful hygiene checks
In their sights: eight businesses, including a bar and a brasserie located in the Vaires-sur-Marne station area.
Those who attend the canoe-kayak competitions will pass near these establishments, before reaching the Olympic nautical base on foot.
Torcy, Lognes, Noisiel, Champs-sur-Marne and Pontault-Combault: the teams – supported by municipal police officers – also raided four grocery stores, a second restaurant and a butcher's shop.
During their inspection, customers could not enter the businesses.
Pontault-Combault, Thursday February 1, 2024: among the businesses targeted by the police, a grocery store.
If the police tracked down hidden work or the hiring of undocumented people, the control and research brigade of the Departmental Directorate of Public Finances 77 focused on the tax control of cash registers.
Customs officers were focusing on the possible sale of contraband alcohol and tobacco.
The officials of the DDPP - particularly meticulous in their research - focused on hygiene.
In the end, none of the businesses suffered an affirmative closure.
Some fines were levied and certain stocks of expired or non-traceable food were destroyed.
Not to mention that traders were entitled to calls to order and warnings, with expected regularizations.
Only one undeclared employee was discovered.