Record seizure of cannabis pollen at Biriatou toll booth
Customs officers seized nearly 57 kg of cannabis pollen at the Biriatou toll booth during the inspection of a vehicle driven by a man of Moroccan origin. The suspect was remanded in custody pending trial at the end of July.
Record seizure of cannabis pollen at Biriatou toll booth
Customs officers seized a significant quantity of narcotics during a road inspection in south-west France. The operation took place on 11 June at the Biriatou toll booth, a municipality located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, near the Spanish border.
A man in his forties of Moroccan origin residing in Spain was intercepted as he travelled in the southbound to northbound direction. Officers discovered nearly 57 kilogrammes of pollen hidden in a compartment arranged near the driver's cabin. The goods were immediately seized and the driver taken into police custody.
Four days later, the suspect was brought before the Bayonne court in emergency proceedings. Accompanied by an interpreter, he admitted to having agreed to transport the illicit substance on behalf of a third party, although he declined to reveal the name of that person. The court also raised a previous conviction dating from 2011 for a breach of transport regulations.
During the hearing, the prosecution magistrate insisted on the necessity of keeping him in custody pending final judgement. According to her, the statements made by the accused lacked credibility and showed a willingness to downplay his role in the matter. The judge ultimately ordered his imprisonment at the local prison.
A further hearing is scheduled for the end of July. The defendant faces prosecution for importation, possession and trafficking of narcotic substances.
Source: Google News MA — Crime (fr)