It is said that evil is everywhere. This saying rings true when inmates expected to be harmless continue their criminal activities. They manage to do so by using miniature phones that circulate freely in prisons! Now that the “Prison Break” operation has begun, let’s see what results it has yielded!
Where Do These Phones Come From?
Prior to launching the “Prison Break” operation, the internal security and the Paris prosecutor’s office investigated the origins of these miniature phones. They discovered over 5,000 devices scattered throughout prisons in France. Ideal tools for criminals looking to continue their activities!
According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, offenders have committed “offenses related to drug trafficking, fraud, and commercial degradation by fire” through these phones. Some have even attempted “contracted murders”. Hence, the urgent need to eradicate their presence from detention centers!
The most notable clue to dismantling the network stemmed from an “investigation initiated by the Cybercrime Combat Brigade (BL2C) under the direction of the Bobigny prosecutor, focusing on a supplier of these phones within the penitentiary establishments in the Paris region”.
Eventually, authorities uncovered a company named Oportik. They had published videos of prisoners using these “invisible mini-phones” for dubious purposes. The device, made in China, contains no metal, facilitating its entry into airports and prisons!
The escape of Mohamed Amra, while he was supposed to enter the Évreux detention center, highlighted the necessity of launching the “Prison Break” operation. The inmate allegedly contacted his accomplices using a miniature phone the size of a lighter. This incident resulted in the deaths of two prison officers, and the inmate was able to disappear for a while.
Large-Scale Raids!
After receiving approval from legal authorities, the Paris prosecutor’s office initiated the “Prison Break” operation in October 2024. The gendarmerie immediately conducted searches in “nearly 500 cells across 66 detention locations throughout the country”. This has never been seen before in the history of France!
The nationwide search primarily focused on “the management of a platform facilitating illegal transactions”. Additionally, there was “possession of items obtained through criminal acts”. Recently, the Paris prosecutor, represented by prosecutor Laure Beccuau, released the outcomes of their efforts.
According to her statement: “367 raids were conducted in detention facilities, 200 incarcerated individuals were questioned, including 17 under custody, approximately 500 phones intended for sale were seized, and more than 70,000 euros in cash were confiscated from a storage facility, along with 14,000 euros from a bank account.”
Alongside this list, authorities also placed two individuals in provisional detention. While the results appear to be quite satisfactory, the “Prison Break” operation is far from over. The Paris prosecutor’s office has entrusted the continuation of operations to a judge of instruction. As for those accused of possession, the 55 local prosecutor’s offices will be responsible!
