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François Thierry

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François Thierry, ex-head of French narcotics office, convicted of complicity in drug trafficking.

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François Thierry is the former head of the Office central pour la répression du trafic illicite des stupéfiants, the French central office for the repression of illicit drug trafficking. He is currently newsworthy due to his recent conviction for "complicity in drug trafficking" and "destruction of evidence" in connection with a 2015 seizure of seven tons of cannabis in Paris. The Bordeaux court sentenced him to a one-year suspended prison sentence on March 31st, going against the prosecution's request for his acquittal. The prosecution, while acknowledging Thierry's responsibility in the operational failure and poor image of the police, stated they were not convinced of his criminal culpability. Thierry's lawyer has announced his intention to appeal the verdict. The case has become a symbol of the potential abuses within the fight against drug trafficking in France.
Last updated: May 1, 2026