The investigation did not drag on after the arson of police vehicles in front of the Cavaillon police station (Vaucluse) where an anti-drug operation was underway. In this case, two suspects aged 19 and 24 were indicted and imprisoned, the Avignon prosecutor said on Monday. Originally from the Paris region, the two individuals were arrested the same day as the fire which occurred during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday shortly before 5 a.m.
Four police vehicles, three screen-printed and another unmarked, were set on fire. The fire also affected the facade of the Cavaillon police station without causing any injuries. Three police officers present inside had been “terrorized”, according to Grégory Lorient, departmental deputy of the Alliance police union.
The CRS 81 deployed by Bruno Retailleau
According to the Avignon public prosecutor’s office, the investigation “made it possible to establish links between the arson and several arrests for drug trafficking carried out between October 1 and 9 in the same town of Cavaillon.” During this “clearance” operation, 25 people were taken into custody, “20,000 euros seized, 15 kilos of cannabis, 6 kilos of cocaine, around ten weapons, long weapons, handguns also seized” , had specified Emmanuel Desjars de Keranrouë, interdepartmental director of the national police.
After these fires targeting the police, the Minister of the Interior reacted. “The State will not allow itself to be intimidated and we will intensify our fight against drug banditry,” promised Bruno Retailleau in a press release. A few hours later, the CRS 81 was deployed in city districts. The delegate minister responsible for everyday security, Nicolas Daragon, also went to Cavaillon on October 10.