The Nancy interregional jurisdiction announced that the Spanish driver of the lorry, containing nearly 400 kilograms of methamphetamines, was arrested on Sunday.
Jean Richert, the vice-public prosecutor for Jirs, told AFP that the seizure is an “extremely important blow against methamphetamine drug trafficking”, highlighting that the total amount of amphetamines and methamphetamines seized in 2018 was 237 kilograms.
On Wednesday 5 June, the Lons-le-Saunier (Jura region) customs surveillance unit discovered “thermo-welded packages containing crystals which responded positively to the methamphetamine test” in a truck travelling on the A39.
In total, customs officials seized 67 packages weighing a combined total of 391.24 kilograms. The officials became suspicious, as the refrigerated truck was carrying pallets filled with door frames.
The 42-year-old driver of Spanish nationality was indicted on Sunday for organised drug importation and transport as well as the non-authorised acquisition of drugs and importing dangerous contraband. The man was placed in temporary detention.
During the hearing, the man explained that he had been told to transport his cargo from Spain to France and that he was “unaware of what he had in his lorry”, as per the Jirs public prosecutor’s office press release.
The investigation has been passed on to the judiciary police’s central directorate.
Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant belonging to the amphetamine family, with a chemical structure resembling that of the amphetamine. However, the effects of methamphetamines, commonly referred to as crystal meth, yaba, or ice, are two to five times stronger and long-lasting than the effects of amphetamines. Methamphetamine can also be much more addictive.
Richert went on to say that methamphetamine use in France and Europe is rather minimal and that the driver may have been transporting the drugs to central Europe or Asia.
Investigators will examine the crystals to determine the production location of the drugs, which could be South America, the United States, or Africa.
