François Thierry, a former top anti-drug official in France, is facing trial for allegedly falsifying public documents and destroying evidence.

The charges stem from a controversial operation in 2012, where Thierry is accused of orchestrating a fake detention to facilitate a massive drug importation scheme involving his informant, Sofiane Hambli.

This operation, which saw six tonnes of cannabis brought into France, has been criticized for its operational failures, with only a fraction of the drugs seized.

The case has sparked a significant debate on the role of informants in law enforcement and has highlighted systemic issues within the anti-drug agency.

As the trial unfolds in Lyon, it underscores the delicate balance between leveraging informants and maintaining legal integrity in the fight against organized crime.