France's former drugs squad boss Francois Thierry charged over smuggling
Francois Thierry allegedly allowed drugs into France without fully informing authorities about the operation - charges he denies.
Friday 25 August 2017 12:10, UK
The former boss of France's drugs squad has been charged over claims he was complicit in smuggling deals with an organised gang.
Francois Thierry was charged on Thursday evening, a source close to the investigation told the AFP news agency.
The allegations relate to an investigation into controversial methods said to have been used by France's anti-drugs agency, Octris.
Thierry was head of the agency between 2010 and 2016.
The Paris prosecutor started an inquiry into Octris after seven tons of cannabis from Morocco was found in Paris in October 2015.
It is alleged Thierry allowed the massive haul to enter the country so he could monitor the gang's smuggling methods.
Police were initially praised, but it later emerged a notorious trafficker had acted as an informant. Prosecutors claim Thierry kept judicial authorities in the dark about elements of the bust and the part played by the trafficker.
He denies the allegations and has been released on bail.
His lawyer accused prosecutors of "incredible hypocrisy" and said Thierry's methods had produced "exceptional results".