Drug network in Mayotte: Four arrests in a major deal!

Drug network in Mayotte: Four arrests in a major deal!

Today, June 16, 2025, the Parquet of Mamoudzou announced dramatic news regarding the arrest of a drug trafficking ring in Mayotte. During the operations in early June in the towns of Chirongui and Kahani, four people were arrested who were accused of supplying customers with cannabis and cocaine. The Procureur de la République, Guillaume Dupont, announced that several hundred grams of cannabis, cocaine capsules, a rubber pistol and a sniper rifle were seized as part of the investigation.

The investigation shows that it is a well-organized network that has been active for many years. The suspects, of both French and Comorian nationality, were charged with transport, possession, acquisition, trafficking and consumption of narcotics. Two of those arrested have previous criminal convictions.

Clarification and consequences

In this context, numerous consumers from different backgrounds, including unemployed people, restaurant owners, teachers and craftsmen, were also interrogated. You face various penalties, from fines to probation. A new Justice Department policy also calls for the confiscation of cell phones used to contact drug sellers. Legal consequences for drug trafficking can range up to ten years in prison and heavy fines, while consumption can result in up to one year in prison, which can also affect access to public jobs.

But this is not the only example of drug-related crime that is currently on the agenda. French gendarmes in Roquemaure stopped a local drug trade in which almost 2 kilograms of cannabis were seized. The operation took place on November 14, 2023 and was supported by the drug detection dog SAMBI, which helped to search the suspects' living quarters.

The drug trade in Germany

These developments are part of a larger problem affecting drug-related crime in Europe. In 2023, around 347,000 drug-related crimes were recorded by the police in Germany - a violation that primarily affects cannabis. This type of crime, which makes up a significant proportion of organized and street crime, has been steadily increasing in recent years. Around 208,000 of these cases alone involved cannabis, which has been partially legalized since April 1, 2024.

However, drug-related crime remains a serious health and social challenge. The increase in drug deaths in Germany to around 2,230 in 2023 underlines the urgency of this issue. Bremen had the highest rate with almost 5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. This speaks volumes about the long-term effects of drug use on the body and mind.

In summary, these cases show that drug trafficking and consumption occurs in different facets, be it on the small streets of Mayotte or in the larger cities of France and Germany. The authorities are faced with the challenge of taking effective measures against these criminal structures.

Various operations have already been carried out in the past to counteract drug trafficking. In the coming weeks it will be exciting to see how the courts in both countries deal with these cases and what new strategies the mandatory authorities develop to combat drug crime.

For more information about these incidents, you can read the reports from la1ere.franceinfo, lereveildumidi and Statista read.