Five suspected drug sellers and deliverers, suspected of carrying out an illegal trade via an encrypted messaging application, were indicted in Lyon, the prosecution told AFP on Sunday.
Arrested at the start of the week, the five men were indicted after the opening of a judicial investigation on Thursday "on charges of drug trafficking", "money laundering" and "participation in a criminal association", explained the Lyon public prosecutor's office, confirming and specifying information from two sources close to the investigation.
Four were placed in pre-trial detention, the fifth left free under judicial supervision, added the prosecution.
Nearly 30 kilograms of “cocaine and hash” were allegedly delivered
These men are accused of having delivered narcotics, cocaine and cannabis to homes, to customers who were members of a Telegram loop with nearly 2,500 subscribers, according to two sources close to the investigation.
This growing practice has been dubbed “Ubershit” or “Ubercoke,” depending on the substance.
Luxury cars and clothing as well as bank accounts were seized, the prosecution said.
One of the other sources highlighted the splendor of the “lifestyle” of the men arrested.
According to another security source, nearly 30 kilograms of “cocaine and hash” were delivered via the Telegram loop.
On Thursday, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin asked prefects to intensify the fight against online drug trafficking by strengthening cyber patrols and pseudonymous investigations on the Internet.
“We have had very good results in the last few hours,” he welcomed his visit to Lyon on Friday, announcing more “arrests” to come.