FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The Albanian was fined 1.3 million euros.
An Albanian has been arrested by French police. He was caught transporting 33 kilograms of cocaine.
During the court hearing, he stated that he had taken this path to cover the medical expenses of his mother, who was being treated for cancer.
French media write that at the end of the trial, the Albanian was sentenced to a fine of 1.3 million euros.
The full French media article:
30 "loaves" of cocaine discovered in a suitcase. A significant seizure of a total of 33 kg, carried out by customs officers in Nîmes, France, on November 19, at the Vergèze motorway toll booth. The driver? A 34-year-old Albanian, who was allegedly hired by another Albanian to carry out this drug transport.
Well-organized plan
According to the presiding judge, Gwenawlle Le Flo, this is a well-organized trafficking. She reconstructs the stages of this trafficking. The first: the plane trip from Albania to Spain, booked by the defendant himself with his own money. Meanwhile, the reservation of the Airbnb apartment in Barcelona and the car in which the trip to Lyon was made were made by a third person. A customer whose identity the defendant refuses to reveal, for fear of retaliation.
"Why did you stay in Barcelona for three days? " the judge asks.
"I was waiting for the goods to be ready. Someone had to send me a message and bring me the car to Spain. Then I had to go about 70 km from Toulouse to have the suitcase delivered to me," he explains in court, through an interpreter. The president also mentions other similar trips, without directly attributing them to the defendant, however.
Only the November 19 mission is assigned to him. A transport for which he was supposed to earn 3,000 euros, which according to him would serve to finance the medical treatment of his mother, who is ill with cancer.
"Were you aware of the risks you were taking? " the presiding judge asks.
" Yes, but my mother is more important. I wanted to save her life ," he replies from the dock.
Prosecutor Arnaud Massip is seeking four years in prison, one year of which is suspended, with an immediate detention order and a permanent ban on staying on French territory. He particularly emphasizes the great damage caused by this cocaine import, estimated by customs at 1.3 million euros.
1.3 million euro fine
On the other hand, defense attorney Marc Roux puts this "past" into perspective. "He explained that he was questioned in these cases, but in no case was he convicted," he emphasizes.
He insists on minimal involvement of his client, who has only had the role of a "mule" in this case. He also seeks acquittal for the use of narcotics, as well as for the refusal to provide the phone code, arguing that the date of this violation is later than the facts for which he is being tried.
The court accepts these innocence. For the rest, the Albanian is found guilty. He is sentenced to 3 years in prison with an immediate ban, a permanent ban on entering French territory and a fine of 1.3 million euros. The drugs will be destroyed.
Lini një Përgjigje