Picasso painting seized during drug raid in Parisian suburb
Police discovered a Picasso painting during a drug operation in the municipality of Villepinte, in Seine-Saint-Denis. The work is valued at €2.5 million.
Picasso painting seized during drug raid in Parisian suburb
During a drug operation conducted in the municipality of Villepinte, in Seine-Saint-Denis, law enforcement seized a painting by Pablo Picasso valued at €2.5 million. According to Deutschlandfunk Kultur, this seizure took place as part of an investigation into drug trafficking.
Officers carried out a search at a residence located in this north-east suburb of Paris. During the search, they discovered the painting hidden in the property. The work, a portrait of a woman, is believed to have been created by the famous Spanish artist.
Investigators are questioning the origin of the painting and its presence at the suspects' residence. They are seeking to determine whether it is a stolen work or whether it was used to launder money from drug trafficking. The judicial police have opened an investigation to clarify these points.
The municipality of Villepinte, located in the department of Seine-Saint-Denis, is known to be the scene of various illicit trafficking activities. This seizure of an artwork of considerable value constitutes a notable breakthrough for French authorities in their fight against organised crime.
Source: Google News DE — Crime (de)