The successful raid followed several months of investigations leading to the arrest of five people, including an alleged gang leader, who were apprehended on 1 and 7 June with three of them placed in custody and the other two placed under surveillance.

The raid carried out in Luxembourg and France with the support of French authorities led to the confiscation of 4.5kg of drugs (3kg heroin and 1.5kg cocaine), worth around €26,000, several vehicles, a dozen cell phones, forged documents and other valuable items.

The drug gang was involved in the large-scale sale of heroin and cocaine in the border areas with activities concentrated in Audun-le-Tiche, Esch-sur-Alzette and surrounding areas, Luxembuorg police said in a statement. The investigation also revealed frequent trips made to the Netherlands and a rented apartment in France used to store drugs.

The sweep involved 70 police and customs officers and was carried out in two apartments in Audun-Le-Tiche and in the south of Luxembourg at three homes in Esch-sur-Alzette and one in Dudelange.