Reunion Island: High-Security Transfer of Jean-Hubert Célerine, aka Franklin, After His Hospitalization

Reunion Island: The transfer of Mauritian detainee Jean-Hubert Célerine, known as Franklin, has been covered by our colleagues at Réunion la 1ère.

After several days of treatment at the Saint-Pierre University Hospital, which includes a high-security prison unit with six rooms, Franklin was moved to a prison cell in Bellepierre.

Launched on July 15, the Territorial Anti-Crime Brigade (BAC T) of Reunion operates throughout the police jurisdiction to track down crimes in progress and conduct sensitive missions, including the transfer of high-risk detainees. This unit was responsible for ensuring the security of Franklin's transfer, classified as a risk level of 3 out of 4, according to Réunion la 1ère.

Before the convoy's arrival, teams conducted reconnaissance of access points and secured the exterior. Police officers, armed with heavy weapons (HK G36 assault rifles, MP7 submachine guns, Cougar grenade launchers, and LBDs), along with bulletproof vests and communication equipment, escorted Franklin, who was handcuffed to a stretcher, to his prison cell with support from the Departmental Intervention Company.

"This transfer of a dangerous detainee is a rare mission in Reunion. But when the individual poses risks, particularly of escape, we are called upon to implement a more significant security measure than usual," explained David, team leader of the Territorial BAC.

According to our information, Franklin's health condition was deemed concerning, with the possibility of meningitis being considered.

As a reminder, Jean-Hubert Célerine was extradited to Reunion in April 2024. He was sentenced to six years in prison by the Saint-Denis criminal court for his role in a drug trafficking network after attempting to import cannabis by boat between Mauritius and Reunion.