The police custody of the mayor of Avallon (Yonne) was extended by 48 hours, the Auxerre prosecutor’s office said on Tuesday. Two days ago, 70 kg of cannabis resin were discovered during searches of a house belonging to him.
The extension concerns six of the seven people placed in police custody on Sunday, following an “XXL Clean Place” operation, including the mayor and two of her brothers. The custody of the seventh person was “quickly lifted for medical reasons”, indicated the Auxerre prosecutor, Hughes de Phily.
Cannabis, cocaine and gold bars
The two additional days, which start from Monday at the end of the day, should allow investigators “to continue their hearings to determine the implications and potential responsibilities of each and carry out the inventory and analysis of the numerous seals”, specified the prosecutor.
The latter is “considering” a press conference on Wednesday at a time which remains to be determined – probably at the end of police custody and at the time of possible indictments. In matters of narcotics, police custody can last up to 96 hours.
The DVG mayor of this large town of 6,000 inhabitants, Jamilah Habsaoui, was arrested after a series of searches which led to the discovery of around 70 kg of cannabis resin, 983 grams of cocaine, 7,000 euros in cash and around twenty gold bars, according to the prosecution.
A possible involvement of his brothers
In addition to a home belonging to the elected official, the town hall and a pharmacy where she works were searched, according to the prosecutor. The latter did not want to confirm information from a source close to the matter according to which the 70 kg of cannabis were found in the mayor’s home. This house could have served as a storage place for his two brothers, known to the courts in drug cases.
Jamilah Habsaoui, 46, former member of the PS, is also delegated regional advisor in charge of rurality for Burgundy-Franche-Comté, member of the majority supporting socialist president Marie-Guite Dufay.