Mohamed Amra, a prisoner with alleged ties to a notorious gang in Marseille, escaped from a prison van during an armed ambush that left two prison officers dead and several others wounded. Known as "The Fly," Amra was being transported from court to a prison in Rouen, near Paris, when a car rammed the prison van at a toll booth, and armed men opened fire.

Prosecutors revealed that the 30-year-old had been convicted of burglary on May 10 and was also facing charges in Marseille for a kidnapping that resulted in a death. He was being held at the Val de Reuil prison near Rouen and had appeared in court related to the new charges just before the ambush.

Despite not being classified as a "closely watched inmate," Amra required a "level three escort," which included five prison officers. His lawyer, Hugues Vigier, expressed shock at the "inexcusable" and "insane" violence of the ambush, noting that Amra had previously attempted to escape by sawing the bars of his cell.

Vigier recounted that his assistant had met with Amra on the morning of the ambush, describing him as "perfectly normal." He suggested that Amra might have informed his accomplices about the transfer, as they were waiting at the motorway tollbooth.

Amra's mother also expressed disbelief, stating that her son had not indicated any plans to escape. She described her devastation upon hearing about the ambush and questioned the senseless loss of life. She noted that Amra had been moved between several prisons and had not shared details of his situation with her.

Amra, who has 13 previous convictions for minor offenses, including driving without a license, theft, and evading police, was serving an 18-month sentence for theft. His involvement in a kidnapping and death linked to drug trafficking in Marseille suggests connections to more serious criminal activities.

The violent ambush coincided with the release of a French Senate report warning of escalating drug-related violence in the country. The report highlighted an "explosion of both supply and demand" in the illegal drug trade, spreading across rural areas and medium-sized towns. It noted that both foreign mafias and structured French organizations are driving the drug trade, leading to increased violence.

Nicolas Bessone, the prosecutor for the Marseille region, stated that drug gangs had become so powerful that they were infiltrating the court system and corrupting civil servants. Last year, around 50 people were killed in drug-related shootings in Marseille.

As authorities continue their manhunt for Amra, the escape and deadly ambush underscore the growing influence of drug-related gang violence in France and the significant challenges faced by law enforcement. This incident has sparked a nationwide debate on the effectiveness of current security measures and the need for stronger actions against organized crime. Law enforcement agencies are now under increased pressure to bring Amra and his accomplices to justice while addressing the broader issue of gang-related violence that continues to plague the country.