Luxembourg and French Police Conduct Joint Cross-Border Train Patrols

Joint Operation Targets Cross-Border Crime

On Wednesday, October 23, 2025, police forces from Luxembourg and France carried out joint patrols on cross-border trains. The operation involved the Grand Ducal Police and the Metz International Transport Control Brigade, focusing primarily on combating immigration violations and drug-related offenses, while also enhancing police visibility on public transportation.

Enforcement and Initial Findings

During the coordinated checks, authorities stopped a total of 42 individuals. Of these, 12 people were identified as illegally residing in France. Further details regarding the operation's outcomes were not immediately released by the authorities. These patrols are part of ongoing efforts to address security concerns and maintain order on international rail routes connecting the two nations.

Background on Enhanced Cross-Border Cooperation

These joint operations stem from an administrative arrangement signed in January 2024 between Luxembourg's Minister for Home Affairs, Léon Gloden, and the French Minister of the Interior and Overseas, Gérald Darmanin. This agreement formalized the modalities for implementing mixed patrols on both roads and cross-border trains, building upon a bilateral agreement on police and customs cooperation from 2001. The primary objectives of these patrols are to ensure a visible police presence, act as a deterrent, and facilitate the fight against cross-border crime.

Context of Increased Border Controls

The recent patrols occur within a broader context of heightened security measures. France temporarily reintroduced border controls with several neighboring European countries, including Luxembourg, starting from November 1, 2024, and extending until April 30, 2025. These measures were implemented in response to various security concerns, such as public safety threats linked to terrorist activities and the rise of criminal networks involved in irregular migration and smuggling operations. Previous joint operations have also yielded results, including the seizure of approximately 300 grams of hashish during a patrol on January 29, 2025, and the arrest of a drug trafficker carrying cocaine on a train bound for Luxembourg on March 4, 2025.