Drug seizures up 300% in 2008

Minister for the Interior Michèlle Alliot-Marie has announced has claimed that the amount of drugs seized by police is three times larger than last year.

The force impounded 27 tonnes of cannabis between January 1 and April 30 compared to 7.6 tonnes in the same period last year.

Ms Alliot-Marie told the National Assembly that tackling drugs was a top priority as they were a large part of delinquent behaviour.

Nearly five tonnes of cocaine were also seized in the first four months of the year compared to 1.4 tonnes in the same period in 2007.

The amount of heroin captured dropped from 526kg between January and April in 2007 to 286kg this year.