Drug trafficking in Escanaux: “The idea is simple, I want the drug dealing point to move,” explains mayor Jean-Yves Chapelet

Dans une lettre envoyée au ministre de l’Intérieur Bruno Retailleau le 9 janvier, le maire Jean-Yves Chapelet écrivait : “Nous atteignons aujourd’hui les limites de ce que nous pouvons accomplir seuls.” Midi Libre – archive ALEXIS BETHUNE

Concrete blocks were installed this Thursday, January 16th to block access to the main drug dealing point in Escanaux. The mayor explains the reasons for this operation while his resources are limited to fight against external and structured networks.

What is the drug trafficking situation today in Bagnols-sur-Cèze ?

We have always had to deal with networks that we controlled because they were local dealers. For the past two years, this has no longer been the case. Small local dealers have been excluded. There is so much pressure on large urban centres, Marseille, Montpellier, Grenoble… We find ourselves with structured networks that come from outside where there is the treasurer, the distributor, the lookout, the supplier… These networks are escaping us and have become businesses where we have to make a profit.

Why react now ?

When I receive residents in tears because they can't take it anymore, that's enough! Our society has to admit that we are in a state of war on this subject. We need to increase our capacity to respond to this problem.

Comment ?

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This means that we need more blue-collar workers on the ground, but also that we need to take a more serious interest in the consumers who maintain these networks. I'm not necessarily asking for more from the police; they're doing their utmost. There have never been so many arrests and seizures in Bagnols. In Escanaux, there are dozens of raids per year, but when the police arrest five dealers, there are six more who replace them. They seize 200 grams of cocaine, and 300 grams arrive.

We therefore need to review the overall strategy for combating drug trafficking ?

The fixed fine for a consumer is 135 euros. I'm convinced that the dealer, in order to keep his client, will pay him. On the other hand, if the fine goes up to 1,500 euros, that's something else. It's quite simple, but the fear of getting caught becomes greater.
Besides, here, we are in the municipal and national police zone. The gendarmerie is right next door. Let's facilitate transfers with the gendarmerie and when we need to do major operations, we do them together.

Why did you give the times of police presence in the report broadcast on France 2 on Wednesday evening ?

My goal is not to stop consumers and fine them. But to undermine the point. I tell consumers that at a certain time, the police will be there. They will ask themselves the question before going there.

You have had concrete blocks installed to block access to one of the main drug dealing points in Escanaux, what will that change ?

We do what we can with our little arms. I, the mayor of Bagnols, am not going to stop the distribution that comes from big cities. I am not a superhero. On the other hand, the accesses to reach these drug dealing points are on the municipal domain. The idea is simple: I want this drug dealing point to move!

This only moves the problem.

It doesn't solve it but it will relieve the residents. In July, the deal point was at the Nuages ​​tower. We had them moved. Now they are here [around the G1 Tower], if they go elsewhere, we will have them moved and so on. I do not have the power to make them disappear. My limit of action is there.

Have you had any feedback from the Ministry of the Interior since your open letter ?

No, but I don't need them to call me. The good side is that the open letter has made other mayors react. We're going around the mess halls to make a platform with several mayors to ask to change gear because we're overwhelmed.

What do you say to people who say that this operation is a PR stunt and is electioneering ?

I don't answer. I never answer attacks. It's an absolute rule.

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