Drug trafficking in Aude: offences up 144% and record seizures in first half of 2026
The Aude prefecture reveals a sharp increase in offences and arrests linked to drug trafficking over the first six months of 2026.
Aude: reinforced fight against drug trafficking, with results up sharply
The Aude prefecture published on Friday 11 September the statistics for the fight against drug trafficking for the first half of 2026. According to lindependant.fr, which reports these figures, offences for drug trafficking jumped 144%, rising from 43 to 105 reported cases, while the number of people implicated increased by 90%, from 115 to 219 individuals.
These results come in a department that might be thought to be spared — Aude is essentially rural, with no major metropolitan area — but which remains heavily exposed to drug trafficking. The settling of scores observed in recent weeks at drug dealing points in Carcassonne illustrate the scale of the phenomenon and the territorial wars being waged by traffickers.
Fewer fines for drug users, more investigations into trafficking networks
Against the backdrop of the rise in arrests for trafficking, the fixed penalty notices imposed on drug users fell by 15%, dropping from 326 to 278. The prefecture explains this fall by a strategic choice: "Internal security forces are now concentrating their efforts on dismantling trafficking networks and bringing judicial investigations to completion, prioritising the fight against trafficking rather than simply fining consumers."
This change in priority is part of the law enacted in June 2026 "aimed at extricating the country from the drug trafficking trap", which notably confers new powers on prefects.
Closure of commercial premises and evictions
Among the tools now at the prefect's disposal is the possibility of temporarily closing commercial premises serving as a base for trafficking. It is also possible to terminate a lease when a property is being used for dealing.
In Aude, two procedures have been initiated against commercial premises: a closure order for drug dealing was issued, and a second procedure is underway. Furthermore, six eviction procedures have been initiated.
Record seizures: four times more cocaine
Drug seizures have also increased dramatically over the period. Cocaine seized reached 280 kg, compared to 74 kg in the first half of 2025, nearly four times more. Confiscated cannabis resin totalled 1,292 kg, six times more than over the same period in the previous year. Cannabis herb represents 431 kg seized, compared to 280 kg in 2025.
Among notable operations, customs officers intercepted on 27 January 2026, during a dynamic check on the A9 motorway at Sigean, a lorry transporting paper sacks bound for Normandy. Opening the pallet chest revealed 438 kg of cannabis resin, estimated at €3.5 million, as well as 30 kg of cannabis herb.
Nitrous oxide, new frontier of road checks
Authorities are also reporting a surge in the misuse of nitrous oxide whilst driving. Seizures for the first half of 2026 totalled 461 full bottles of 0.85 litres, three 3.3-litre bottles and 225 empty bottles.
"Law enforcement is observing a surge in the misuse of nitrous oxide whilst driving, a laughing gas highly dangerous for driving, causing loss of control and dizziness," the prefecture indicates, specifying that road checks now systematically include the search for these canisters, which are subject to immediate confiscation and prosecution for endangering others' lives.
Prison searches: one kilogramme of drugs and 171 mobile phones seized
The fight against drug trafficking also extends within penal establishments. At Carcassonne prison, coordinated searches are regularly carried out, in accordance with provisions requiring two major operations per year.
In spring 2026, all cells were subject to a comprehensive search, conducted under the protection of regional intervention and security teams (ERIS) and law enforcement. In total, 36 individual cell and search operations resulted in the seizure of over one kilogramme of drugs as well as 171 mobile phones.
Actions are also being taken to counter objects thrown in from outside. Thirty parcels were intercepted and recovered in the exercise yard, on the sports field, on the perimeter path or on the roof of the establishment, representing 2 kg of drug products and 41 additional mobile phones seized.
Source: Google News FR — Crime (fr)