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French cops find €2m of cannabis in truck’s tank

Police made the haul after stopping a truck which seemed to be travelling without any cargo... until they checked inside its fuel tank.

Published: 29 December 2015 11:10 CET

French cops find €2m of cannabis in truck's tank

All photos: Police

A total of 342.5 kg of cannabis resin – with an estimated value of over €2 million – was found hidden in the fuel tank of the truck.

Police stopped the vehicle on the A31 motorway on December 21st, heading in the direction of Nancy-Metz, and on an initial inspection it appeared to be empty. The two drivers, both of Spanish nationality, claimed they were travelling from Spain to repair a truck for a company from Luxembourg.

But police clearly realized something wasn't right and conducted a full search of the truck. After several hours, their attention turned to the vehicle's external fuel tank.

Getting at the illicit cargo inside was no easy feat – police had to drive the truck to a nearby garage, where the tank was loosened and removed from the vehicle, before being cut open to reveal the enormous stash of drugs.

The 342.5 kg of cannabis was hidden in a metal case inside the tank, stored neatly in packets of different sizes.

Nancy's specialized interregional court is continuing the investigation.

French parliament to investigate sexual abuse in cinema

The Assemblée nationale unanimously agreed to set up the commission demanded by actor Judith Godreche in a speech to the upper house, the Senate, in February.

The 52-year-old actor and director has become a key figure in France’s MeToo movement since accusing directors Benoit Jacquot and Jacques Doillon of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager. Both have denied the allegations.

All 52 lawmakers present for the vote on Thursday approved the creation of the commission, watched by Godreche, who was present in the public gallery in the chamber.

“It’s time to stop laying out the red carpet for abusers,” said Greens lawmaker Francesca Pasquini.

The new commission is to look into “the condition of minors in the various sectors of cinema, television, theatre, fashion and advertising”, as well as that of adults working in them, it said.

On the basis of Godreche’s proposal, a parliamentary commission on culture decided to extend the scope of the inquiry to also include other cultural sectors.

It is to “identify the mechanisms and failings that allow these potential abuses and violences”, “establish responsibilities” and make recommendations.

The parliament vote comes a day after actor Isild Le Besco, 41, said in an autobiography she was also raped by Jacquot during a relationship that started when she was 16, but was not ready to press charges.

Godreche, by contrast, has filed a legal complaint against the prominent arthouse director, over alleged abuse that occurred during a relationship that began when she was 14 and he was 25 years her senior.

She has also formally accused Doillon of abusing her as a 15-year-old actress in a film he directed.

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