France transfers first drug traffickers to be isolated in ultra-secure prison

The prison of Vendin-le-Vieil in northern France, one of the country's two high-security centres. © AFP - Michel Euler

As France's plan to isolate its 100 most dangerous drug traffickers at a high-security prison progresses, the first 17 of the inmates arrived at the facility in Vendin-le-Vieil in the north of the country on Tuesday, according to Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin.

"The first 17 drug traffickers, who are among the most dangerous in our country, have just been transferred to the Vendin-le-Vieil prison in the north of the country, following a transfer under extraordinary security conditions," Darmanin posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday morning.