Nearly 100 police officers and gendarmes mobilized, 2,200 people checked, 24 arrests: the authorities launched a vast operation on Thursday, July 24, 2025, targeting the restaurant and transport sectors.
On Thursday, July 24, 2025, an operation to combat irregular immigration was conducted in the Alpes-Maritimes under the initiative of Prefect Laurent Hottiaux. The action took place in several areas of the department, both in road and rail transport, as well as in restaurant establishments.
In total, nearly 100 police officers and gendarmes were mobilized. Close to 50 agents targeted several transit locations: the international bus station at Nice airport, the SNCF stations in Nice, Villeneuve-Loubet, and Mandelieu-La Napoule, as well as the La Turbie tollbooth. A total of 86 buses and 231 vehicles were checked, representing 2,220 individuals verified.
Simultaneously, 43 police officers and gendarmes conducted checks in 17 bars and restaurants spread across Cannes, Nice, Grasse, Vallauris, Golfe-Juan, Antibes, Menton, and Eze. These operations aimed to identify situations of undeclared work involving foreigners in irregular situations. They are also part of the enforcement of the law of June 13, 2025. This text allows prefects to order the administrative closure of an establishment linked to drug trafficking activities, based on conditions of attendance or operation.
24 people arrested and several proceedings initiated
At the end of this control day, 24 foreigners in irregular situations were arrested. Ten infractions were noted in the inspected establishments. Proceedings were initiated for undeclared work.
According to prefecture data, these arrests add to the more than 2,600 made since the beginning of 2025 in the department. Among those removed from the territory, more than half were involved in criminal activities, or had a profile deemed radicalized or likely to disturb public order.
Prefect Laurent Hottiaux reiterated that “the fight against irregular immigration is a priority for state services in the Alpes-Maritimes.” He commended the mobilization of law enforcement agencies and stated that “these controls are intended to be multiplied.”
These operations are part of the Force Frontière initiative, coordinated by the Border Police, with a permanent presence at the French-Italian border and regular checks in sectors identified as sensitive.
