Arms and drug trafficking: two individuals sentenced to lengthy prison terms in Martinique
A pair aged 31 and 28 was tried in Fort-de-France for possession and transport of cocaine, cannabis, category B weapons and ammunition, following a maritime operation conducted in Sainte-Luce.
Arms and drug trafficking: two individuals sentenced to lengthy prison terms in Martinique
A court in Fort-de-France delivered its verdict yesterday against two defendants, a man in his thirties and a 28-year-old. The first was handed a six-year prison sentence, whilst the second received five years imprisonment. Both were tried for offences involving the circulation and possession of category B weapons, projectiles, and narcotics including cocaine and cannabis.
The offences took place in the night of 16 December. A Customs surveillance team stationed at sea spotted and intercepted the suspects aboard a traditional wooden boat known as a yole. The operation took place as the vessel was landing in Sainte-Luce, on the Atlantic coast of the island. During the search, officers seized narcotics, rifles and cartridges. Packets of tobacco of foreign origin were also recovered.
Following several days of investigation conducted jointly by Customs officials and gendarmerie military personnel, the two suspects were remanded in custody on 20 December. Their trial opened three days later under the framework of an immediate appearance procedure.
The judge imposed the prison sentences alongside a deprivation of civil rights: the convicted individuals will be unable to acquire or carry a regulated weapon for approximately fifteen years. Financial penalties of a customs nature supplement the punitive measures.
Source: France-Antilles Martinique
Source: Google News MQ — Crime