Seven people suspected of being involved in a vast cocaine trafficking were indicted Friday in Martinique following a wave of arrests in Guadeloupe and the Paris region, we learned from the anti-narcotics office and the Ministry of Justice.
They were placed in pre-trial detention for "drug trafficking, money laundering and criminal association," according to a joint statement from the Ministry of Justice, the specialized interregional jurisdiction (JIRS) of Fort-de-France and the anti-narcotics office (OFAST), released Friday night.
"Several very important seizures"
"Investigators estimate at 5 tons the volume of drugs shipped by sea by this criminal network," the statement said. A source close to the investigation told AFP, without mentioning dates, that "several very important seizures of cocaine in containers" were made "in several destinations in France".
These arrests, carried out in particular "throughout Guadeloupean territory", are the result of "more than a year of investigations", according to the same source.
Firearms found during operation
Some suspects indicted "worked in the environment of the port of Jarry", the first of the Guadeloupean archipelago for cargo traffic, "including docker, security guard or handler," the statement said.
In total, fourteen people were initially arrested Tuesday simultaneously in Guadeloupe and the Paris region" as part of "a judicial investigation opened at the JIRS of Fort-de-France," says the text.
"Various seizures (were) made, including cash, vehicles and firearms, discovered during the operation," the statement said. The investigation is continuing, under the leadership of the JIRS of Fort-de-France.