Hérault Valley: four adults and three minors arrested in connection with drug trafficking

An investigation, promptly carried out by the gendarmes of the Lodève research brigade, in connection with the territorial units of the company, has just resulted in the dismantling of drug trafficking, radiating over the Hérault valley, and the arrest of seven people.

In this case, four adults and three minors, all apprehended this Tuesday, January 10 in the early morning in Gignac, Canet d’Hérault but also in Montpellier. And this, after several months of investigation.

Discreet surveillance and telephony exploitation

The investigations begin in the summer of 2022, following the discovery of a small deal point in the town of Gignac. The gendarmes of the Lodève company seize the file and manage to go up on the whole of the network, thanks to discreet surveillances then to the exploitation of the mobile telephony of the various suspects.

In this case, a forty-something, originally from Gignac, whom the investigators suspect of being the head of the network. But also a Montpellier, aged 19, likely to be his supplier. One thing leading to another, the involvement of two other adults, aged 18 and around forty, as well as three minors aged 15 to 17 will be confirmed by the investigations carried out.

3 kg of hashish, 270 g of speed and €8,500 seized

This Tuesday, six of the seven “targets” were apprehended during a coordinated operation. The last defendant, knowing that he was wanted, finally made himself a prisoner, a few hours later, at the national gendarmerie.

The searches, carried out at the homes of the various protagonists, led to the seizure of 370 g of speed, 3 kg of cannabis resin and €8,500 in cash.

But also three goldfinches which were in a cage and which were handed over to the national biodiversity office with which the gendarmes are used to working in close collaboration. An investigation will also be carried out on this subject to determine if this was a possible bird traffic.

Legal consequences

After 48 hours in police custody, the three minors, already unfavorably known, were released with a summons before the juvenile judge in their pocket.

As for adults, after compulsory hospitalization at La Colombière for one of them, the four were finally referred to the prosecution on Thursday. They will be presented before the Montpellier judicial court as part of an immediate appearance, this Friday afternoon.