"A Real Money-Making Operation": 19 Drugged Puppies Rescued from Street Sale Network in Nice
In a shocking discovery in the north of Nice, French authorities and animal welfare associations dismantled a trafficking ring where puppies—imported from Eastern Europe, drugged, and sold on the streets—were being exploited for profit.
An Unprecedented Trafficking Operation in Nice
On May 5, 2025, following months of surveillance and investigation, police and animal protection groups raided a makeshift encampment on Boulevard Henri-Sappia in the Nice-Nord district. What they found was deeply disturbing: 19 dogs, including day-old puppies, kept in deplorable conditions with no proper food or shelter.
“We saw around twenty dogs tied with short leashes in horrifyingly unsanitary conditions,” said Émilie Desjacques of the Tribu du Fourmiller association. “It was clearly a money-making operation.”
Puppies Drugged and Sold to Passersby
The dogs, brought in from Bulgaria, were used to attract sympathy while being sold in busy areas of the city, like Avenue Jean-Médecin. To keep the puppies docile and compliant, traffickers allegedly gave them cocktails of ibuprofen, ketoprofen, caffeine, and even plastic particles—confirmed through blood and urine tests.
“The dogs looked unusually lethargic for their age. Puppies should be energetic and playful, but these didn’t move,” said Marine, a volunteer with the UPA06 collective, which had been monitoring the situation for over a year.
Covert Investigation Leads to Major Seizure
Volunteers organized surveillance patrols each night, documenting evidence with photos and testimonies. These efforts eventually led to an official seizure operation with both municipal and national police. They not only rescued the 19 dogs but also confirmed multiple illegal street sales where puppies were exchanged for €150 to €400.
“This has never happened at such a scale in Nice,” Marine emphasized.
What Happens Now?
The rescued puppies are now safe, washed, and beginning to show signs of recovery. Some have already started to play. Several volunteers have stepped in to foster them, including Émilie, who welcomed one of the seized females.
The organizations involved remind the public: buying animals in the street only fuels the trafficking. “People think they’re helping, but they’re making it worse. If you see this, take photos, videos, and call the police,” said Marine.
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