Arrest of Mohamed Amra: Ten Arrests and an International Investigation

Following the arrest of drug trafficker Mohamed Amra in Romania on Saturday, February 22, ten new arrests have taken place, according to sources close to the case. These individuals are suspected of having participated in Amra’s dramatic escape on May 14 or of aiding in its preparation and his concealment during his more than nine months on the run.

A Large-Scale Operation in France and Abroad

Among those arrested, a 32-year-old man well known to law enforcement is suspected of being the leader of the commando and the shooter responsible for the deaths of two prison officers during the escape. He was arrested on Saturday evening in Malaga, Spain. Another suspect was apprehended in the Netherlands. The remaining eight suspects (seven men and one woman) were arrested overnight and on Sunday morning in Évreux, Rouen, and Le Havre.

Police operations, led by the Research and Intervention Brigades (BRI) of Rouen and Versailles, took place in several buildings in Rouen’s Grammont district between 4:00 and 5:30 a.m. Firearms, including at least one Kalashnikov-style rifle, as well as mobile phones, were seized during the searches.

An Investigation Marked by International Cooperation

Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau praised the international cooperation and the complementarity of the investigative services that led to these arrests. She emphasized that this case illustrates the critical importance of swift and effective coordination in the fight against organized crime, also extending her thoughts to the victims and their families.

On May 14, 2024, Mohamed Amra, then 30 years old, escaped during a transfer to Évreux prison when his prison van was ambushed by heavily armed men at the Incarville toll station. The attack resulted in the deaths of two officers and the injury of three others. His arrest and that of his accomplices mark a significant step forward in this ongoing investigation.