French legislator is caught buying artificial drugs on the street

PARIS, France (AFP) – A far-left French lawmaker admitted Tuesday that he was caught by police after buying a synthetic drug from an underage supplier in a street business, earning him a sharp rebuke from the minister of the Interior of law and order in France. .

Andy Kerbrat, 34, a member of parliament for the France Unbowed (LFI) party, was detained by police on October 17 carrying 1.35 grams of 3-methylmethcathinone, prosecutors told AFP.

The teenage seller had a gram of the synthetic drug on him, as well as 200 euros ($216) in cash, they added.

3-MMC is a designer drug intended to mimic the effects of cocaine for about half the street price.

Kerbrat, who was not detained, is being investigated for illicit use of narcotics.

Posting his admission to X, Kerbrat said he would seek medical attention for his addiction.

LFI parliamentary leader Mathilde Panot said that “addiction is a health problem”, adding that she hopes Kerbrat can quickly return to her post in the National Assembly.

Green Party MP Sandrine Rousseau also supported it, saying: “You admitted everything. You are receiving treatment. Come back to us in good shape.

But hardline Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, known for his law and order credentials, said Kerbrat needed to “draw consequences for his actions”.

Also at X, Retailleau said that deputies had a “duty” to show “exemplary” behavior.

“It is intolerable to see a deputy from the French Republic buying synthetic drugs from a street dealer,” said the minister.

3-MMC’s popularity is growing rapidly in France, where it is primarily used as a party drug.