Stéphane Plaza Arrested in Drug Probe Amid TV Exit

Stéphane Plaza Arrested in Drug Probe Amid TV Exit

Stéphane Plaza, one of France’s most recognizable television hosts, was arrested on May 5, 2025, at his home in Bougival (Yvelines) as part of a broader investigation into drug trafficking. Known for his real estate programs on M6, Plaza’s arrest comes at a pivotal moment for both his career and the network that helped make him a household name.

According to Le Parisien, police discovered one gram of cocaine, a crack pipe, and €1,700 in cash during the search of his home. While Plaza was released from custody the next day without formal prosecution, authorities suspect he was a regular client of a drug trafficking operation. Two others have been arrested in connection with the case.

Though Plaza’s lawyer disputes the police findings, claiming no drugs were present, the prosecutor opted for a non-judicial resolution: a €3,000 payment to a victims’ assistance association. The alternative measure avoids a criminal record but deepens concerns over Plaza’s past denials about drug use—he had previously stated under oath, “I have never, ever taken drugs.”

This scandal follows a February 2025 conviction, in which Plaza received a 12-month suspended sentence for repeated domestic violence against a former partner—a ruling he is currently appealing. Combined, these incidents have seriously damaged his once-sterling public image.

Adding to the fallout, Plaza was notably absent from the tenth-anniversary event of his real estate brand, held the same day as his arrest. The M6 group used the occasion to launch Sixième Avenue, a new property brand viewed as a rebranding effort to distance itself from the controversy surrounding Plaza.

Franchisees are divided—some eager to move on, others mourning the loss of Plaza’s marketability. “For me, Plaza is finished,” one franchisee said. “I can’t wait to remove his name from the storefront.” Still, others credit his fame with driving business.

M6 is now focused on stabilizing its franchise network and salvaging its real estate ventures, launching a heavy marketing campaign to support the transition.

With his programs suspended and public opinion split, Stéphane Plaza’s future remains in question. Whether this is a temporary setback or a definitive fall from grace is yet to be seen.

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