70kg of cannabis found at home of French mayor

French police have arrested the mayor of a French town and two of her brothers after finding at least 70 kilogrammes (150 pounds) of cannabis resin in her home, investigators said Sunday.

Jamilah Habsaoui, mayor of Avallon since 2021 and also a regional councillor, was one of several targets for police raids after an investigation into drug trafficking in the eastern town lasting several weeks, prosecutor Hugues de Phily told AFP.

The prosecutor said the mayor's home, the town hall and the pharmacy where Habsaoui worked were all searched but did not give the amount of drugs found at her home. An investigation source said 70kg of cannabis was seized.

Habsaoui and two of her brothers were among seven people detained, according to the prosecutor who added that other parts of the investigation had uncovered 983 grammes of cocaine, 7,000 euros ($7,700) in cash and about 20  gold ingots.

The operation was carried out as part of a nationwide campaign to clamp down on the growing drug trade in French cities.

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