Drug trafficking in La Montagne: nearly one tonne seized, 14 defendants tried in Rennes
A resident of La Montagne is appearing before the JIRS in Rennes for international drug trafficking. Nearly one tonne of drugs and 5 million euros in total seizures.
Long trial in Rennes for drug network rooted in Loire-Atlantique
Since Monday 28 September 2026, a 42-year-old man from La Montagne (Loire-Atlantique) has been tried before the Interregional Specialised Court (JIRS) in Rennes, which has jurisdiction over organised crime throughout the Greater West region. According to actu.fr, he is appearing alongside thirteen other defendants, including his mother, his sister and his former partner, for a vast international drug trafficking operation.
The investigation dates back to May 2021, when an "anonymous tip" reporting a "major trafficking operation" reached investigators in Rezé. Interceptions in a vehicle and telephone wiretaps subsequently confirmed suspicions against several protagonists in the case.
Arrest and massive seizures
The suspect was arrested on 31 May 2022 on Rue du Petit-Bois, in La Montagne — an address where he had moved after his wife had "discovered the address of his mistress". Subsequent searches of the homes of those close to him led to the discovery of 138.30 kg of "white powder" in Nantes.
In Sucé-sur-Erdre, investigators seized a Renault Sprinter van loaded with 753 kg of cannabis. The defendant's DNA was found "inside the left-hand glove" discovered in this vehicle, and documents in his name as well as those of people close to him were also found.
In total, nearly one tonne of drugs was seized in this case: 791 kg of cannabis and 140 kg of cocaine.
Five million euros in seizures
In addition to the drugs, investigators seized nearly 32,000 € in cash and 220,000 € from bank accounts, as well as "twenty-five vehicles", "luxury clothing", "expensive furnishings" and "watches", notably Rolex brand. The president of the JIRS in Rennes clarified at the opening of the trial that the total amount of seizures — "all combined" and calculated on the basis of the lowest estimated price per kilogram of the drug — amounts to nearly five million euros.
A defendant already heavily convicted
Placed under formal investigation on 3 June 2022 for "organised importation of narcotic substances", "drug trafficking", "criminal association" and "money laundering" committed between January 2019 and May 2022 on an international scale, the man in his forties remains in custody. He has already been convicted seven times, including a sentence of seven years' imprisonment and an 869,000 € customs fine handed down on 6 November 2014 for similar offences.
His lawyer, Me Gwendoline Tenier, is conducting his defence. The man does not dispute the principle of drug trafficking.
Fourteen defendants out of twenty-two expected
Twenty-two persons were initially to appear. Some benefited from a guilty plea procedure (CRPC) during the course of proceedings, reducing the number of defendants to fourteen. The defendant's mother, sister and the mother of his children are appearing at liberty.
The trial is expected to last six weeks, with two weeks' interruption during school holidays. The judgment is expected on 6 November 2026. The defendant faces twenty years' imprisonment in this case.
Source: Google News LU — Crime (fr)