Prosecution seeks up to two years' imprisonment for cocaine trafficking in Molenbeek
Two men are being prosecuted before the Brussels Correctional Court for their involvement in cocaine trafficking at one of the main dealing points in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. The prosecution has sought sentences of 16 and 24 months.
Prosecution seeks up to two years' imprisonment for cocaine trafficking in Molenbeek
The Brussels Correctional Court examined on Friday the case of two individuals accused of having participated in the cocaine trade in one of the most active sectors of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. The public prosecutor sought sentences of sixteen and twenty-four months' imprisonment.
The first defendant, identified as Y., denied any involvement. Police had spotted him on 15 January in the company of several drug users known to the authorities. These individuals approached him successively, and he made them wait on a bench before directing them towards a nearby apartment.
Inside this apartment, two additional accomplices collected money from customers and handed them a dose of cocaine. During the police intervention, all persons present attempted to flee. Y. and one of the two accomplices were nevertheless arrested.
The second accused, M., had previously been convicted of thefts. He acknowledged having sold narcotics. His lawyer nevertheless pleaded in favour of a sentence with probationary suspension, arguing that her client was only the final link in the criminal operation. She also highlighted his drug dependency and the possibility that he might be released under the supervision of the sentence application court.
Concerning Y., the defence sought a discharge. According to his counsel, he merely indicated to users the address where they could obtain their dose. In the event of his release, he would return to Portugal, where he holds a valid residence permit.
The court's decision is expected on 15 July.
Source: DHNET
Source: DHnet