Introduction: How Tiny Phones Are Powering Big Crimes Behind Bars
The French government has launched an aggressive crackdown on mini phones in prisons, targeting a growing criminal trend fueled by tiny, nearly undetectable Chinese-made devices. These contraband phones—no larger than a cigarette lighter—are being used by inmates to orchestrate drug trafficking, extortion, and violent crimes from within secure prison walls.
What Is Operation Prison Break?
On May 20, 2025, France’s cybercrime division announced Operation Prison Break, a sweeping investigation authorizing searches across 66 detention centers and 500 prison cells. These searches aim to locate thousands of covert mobile phones—often referred to by inmates as “suppositories” due to their concealability.
The phones are predominantly plastic, enabling them to bypass metal detectors. Although legal for sale in France, it is illegal to provide a prisoner with a phone, and authorities suspect that many have been smuggled via drones, corrupt staff, or visitors.
Who Is Oportik and Why It Matters
The supply trail leads to a French electronics vendor named Oportik, which allegedly sold over 5,000 of these mini phones. The Paris prosecutor’s office has shut down the company’s operations and arrested three of its employees. Some of the phones sold for as little as €20, making them easily accessible for criminal use.
“Investigations have established that some of these telephones were used to commit crimes from inside detention, including drugs trafficking, racketeering, arson and attempted murder.” – Paris Prosecutor’s Office
Challenges in Prison Tech Security
- Over 40,000 mobile phones were confiscated in French prisons in 2024 alone.
- Phone-jamming technology is limited in effectiveness and not uniformly deployed.
- Drones, staff bribery, and “throw-over-the-wall” methods remain common smuggling tactics.
French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin has emphasized the need to prevent gang leaders from running criminal enterprises while incarcerated. The mini phones represent a glaring loophole in France’s prison security system.
International Coordination Through Eurojust
The French prosecutor’s office has shared data with Eurojust, the EU’s judicial cooperation agency, enabling similar investigations in other member states. Since these mini phones are legally sold across Europe, tracing suppliers and shutting down cross-border smuggling operations is now a top priority.
Why This Matters: Implications for Prison Reform
The crackdown may accelerate the implementation of secure tech solutions in European prisons. Improved digital surveillance, staff vetting, and phone detection systems are already being discussed at the policy level. The issue also underscores the delicate balance between prisoner rights and internal security in modern penal systems.
Conclusion: A Small Device Creating Big Security Risks
France’s response to the threat of mini phones in prisons highlights a growing concern worldwide—how low-cost consumer technology can empower high-level criminal operations. While Operation Prison Break is a strong start, sustained international cooperation and prison reform will be necessary to stop the flow of these silent enablers of crime.
Want more updates on justice, security, and European law enforcement trends? Read our full coverage on European anti-crime efforts and explore our special feature on drone smuggling into prisons.
