A major drug trafficking operation erupted into a tense scene at a motorway toll gate near Toulouse, France, where police intercepted a suspected high speed trafficking convoy carrying more than 330 kilograms of cannabis resin.
According to French newspaper La Dépêche, the operation took place Thursday evening and involved two vehicles believed to be part of a sophisticated drug transport network operating between the Iberian Peninsula and France.
At least five suspects were subsequently questioned by OFAST, France's anti narcotics agency.
One of the vehicles was allegedly being used as a scout car, travelling ahead of the vehicle carrying the drugs to detect police or customs officers along the route.
The interception became particularly tense when officers moved in.
La Dépêche reports that one of the occupants was suspected of carrying an automatic weapon. Officers from the BRI intervention unit, supported by a customs intervention team, secured the scene as motorists nearby witnessed the operation.
Investigators seized more than 330 kilograms of cannabis resin from the convoy.
Authorities now believe the case could extend far beyond a single shipment. According to La Dépêche, investigators suspect the organization may have carried out dozens of similar drug convoys, transporting narcotics from the Iberian Peninsula toward northern France.
Some of the suspects are reportedly from the Bagatelle area of Toulouse, although investigators believe the seized shipment was ultimately destined for northern France.
The investigation is now focused on determining the full structure of the network and the amount of money potentially generated by previous shipments.
The story quickly gained attention across France on Sunday evening. Google Trends showed more than 10,000 searches for "La Dépêche" as interest in the Toulouse operation surged.
The seizure adds to continuing efforts by French authorities to disrupt so called "go fast" networks, which use powerful vehicles, scout cars and coordinated routes to transport large quantities of narcotics across long distances.
