British lorry driver sentenced to two years in prison for 109 kg of cocaine on the A71
A British lorry driver intercepted in August on the A71 with 109 kg of cocaine has been sentenced to two years in prison and permanently expelled from French territory.
Two years in prison for lorry driver caught with 109 kg of cocaine in the Cher
A British lorry driver, arrested on 17 August on the A71 motorway at Saint-Amand-Montrond, in the Cher department, has been sentenced to two years in prison, according to France Info. His refrigerated lorry concealed 109 kilograms of cocaine, valued at over 7.5 million euros.
The Bourges judicial tribunal also imposed on him a permanent ban from French territory and a customs fine of 7 million euros. The man was remanded in custody as soon as the drug was seized.
Innocence claimed in court
At the hearing, the lorry driver denied any involvement. He stated that he was unaware that drugs were hidden in his vehicle. A father of four children, he had no criminal record at the time of the offence.
After his arrest, he was first placed in customs detention before being handed over to the National Anti-Drug Office (Ofast), on instructions from the Bourges public prosecutor's office.
Portuguese lead for investigators
Investigators suspect the lorry driver of having picked up the cocaine in Portugal, where he had taken a day's rest before resuming his journey to France. This hypothesis remains at the level of suspicion by the authorities.
Referred for immediate trial before the tribunal on 21 August, the man had initially requested a delay to prepare his defence.
Source: France Info