In August 2025, gendarmes were called to a farmhouse in Chigné, located in the Maine-et-Loire department of France, due to a reported burglary. When they arrived, they uncovered a hidden laboratory used for manufacturing cocaine. Inside, they found equipment such as gas masks, a microwave, a room equipped with ultraviolet (UV) lamps, and a press — all commonly used in illicit drug production. During the search, the gendarmes also seized approximately 3 kilograms of cocaine, a significant quantity that highlights the scale of the operation. More than a year after the discovery of the laboratory, ten individuals were arrested this week, primarily in the Paris region. The arrests were carried out by the Angers research section and OFAST (Office anti-stupefiants), as part of an operation named "Breaking Bad." According to a source close to the investigation, as reported by BFMTV, the 10 individuals are suspected of playing logistical roles, including setting up the laboratory and managing purchases. Among them is Wahib B., a known drug trafficker from the Paris region and a key figure in a major cocaine trafficking network linked to the Antilles. The arrested individuals are expected to appear before the Paris judicial court later today, facing potential charges of drug trafficking and money laundering. This operation was coordinated by OFAST, a French agency dedicated to combating drug-related crimes. According to sources, the laboratory was managed by a South American drug cartel, specifically Colombian operatives. A BFMTV source described the discovery as "the largest clandestine cocaine laboratory ever found in France," emphasizing the significance of the find. The investigation into this case is being led by the PNACO (National Anticriminality Prosecution), a specialized unit handling serious criminal cases in France. The discovery of this laboratory and the subsequent arrests highlight the ongoing efforts by French authorities to combat organized drug trafficking and the increasing presence of international cartels within the country.