French law enforcement confiscates contraband mini-phones within prison facilities. - Law enforcement in France seizes contraband tiny mobile phones within prison facilities.
France Cracks Down on Contraband Mini Phones Used by Inmates
In an attempt to thwart criminal activities orchestrated from within prison cells, French authorities have seized hundreds of mini mobile phones, primarily from China, during a nationwide operation codenamed "Prison Break." The devices, promoted by a French company as undetectable during prison entry checks, were discovered in 164 cells across 66 prisons in France.
Police confiscated 88 mini phones, 500 devices intended for dispatch, and €70,000 in cash from a warehouse. The dealer is under investigation for illegal transactions, and two suspects have been remanded in custody. The company's website has been seized, and customer data is being analyzed.
Investigations revealed these mini-mobiles were used for various illegal activities, including drug trafficking, fraud, arson, and even hit orders. Security experts are now examining seized phones to identify users.
The mini phones are designed to evade detection, with their small size, few metal parts, and special settings to bypass security checks. French investigators estimate around 5,000 of these devices have been used in French prisons for criminal activities.
The issue of mini phones facilitating criminal activities is not isolated to France. Eurojust, the EU's judicial cooperation agency, reports that these phones are sold worldwide, providing member states with information to investigate potential uses within their own prison systems.
While not directly related, the broader challenge of combating illicit trade is apparent. For instance, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has seized large quantities of counterfeit electronics. This highlights the need for international cooperation to combat organized crime.
The French authorities, alongside Eurojust, are scrutinizing employment policies of companies selling mini mobile phones and other contraband devices, given their alarming use in prison activities. It's crucial for employment policies, particularly in technology industries, to include strict finance and general-news compliance measures to prevent illegal transactions and ensure products aren't abused for crime-and-justice purposes.
