Cocaine trafficking in La Conte housing estate, Carcassonne: one year prison sentence for 26-year-old from Clichy
A 26-year-old man from Clichy has been sentenced to twelve months in prison by Carcassonne court for drug trafficking.
Drug dealer from Paris region sentenced after two arrests at the same dealing point
According to Google News FR — Crime (fr), Carcassonne criminal court sentenced on Thursday 20 August a 26-year-old man from Clichy to twelve months in prison, together with a ban from residing in the Aude department for five years. The defendant, tried in immediate appearance under prison escort, faced charges of refusing to provide the unlocking code for his mobile phone and offering or transferring unauthorised drugs.
Arrested twice in forty-eight hours at the same location
On Thursday 13 August, officers from Carcassonne's organised crime unit intervened at the dealing point in La Conte housing estate, opposite the entrance to Jules Fil secondary school, after observing several transactions. A consumer intercepted at the scene identified two individuals as having sold him a dose of cocaine: the 26-year-old from Clichy and a 17-year-old girl from Carcassonne. Both were taken into custody before being released pending trial — the adult facing criminal court, the minor facing juvenile court.
Yet on Saturday 15 August, around 19:30, officers found the same two individuals at the same dealing point, again engaged in a transaction. No money or drugs were found on them, but investigators recovered twenty-six doses of cocaine hidden in a Volkswagen reported stolen, used as a "mother car" on site. The defendant was placed in provisional detention from Monday 17 August.
Explanations deemed lacking credibility by the court
Before judge Laurence Wagner, the defendant denied any involvement in trafficking. Regarding his refusal to unlock his phone, he stated: "In my phone there are things I don't want to show just anyone! There are photos of my wife and me, but nothing related to drug trafficking."
Concerning his repeated presence at the dealing point, Vincent provided an explanation that the court received with scepticism: "I'm not from the area, I don't know anyone. Initially I was on holiday in Narbonne and took the train to Carcassonne where my wife lives. There, I lost my bag and the money I had. I was in La Conte to beg for money. It's the only solution I found to buy a train ticket and go back to Paris… I didn't have anything on me, I have nothing to do with drug trafficking, your honour!"
Eight previous convictions, eighteen months sought
The defendant's criminal record shows eight previous convictions, mainly for crimes against property. Prosecutor Géraldine Labialle sought eighteen months in prison with continued detention, as well as a ban from residing in the Aude department for five years. She advised the defendant "to change direction towards the theatre", estimating that police findings were unambiguous: according to her, it was he who "gave orders to the minor at the dealing point" and "appeared to be in charge".
The defence, represented by Marion Blondeau, argued for a reduced sentence, contending that the court was "there to punish four transactions witnessed by police".
Twelve months prison and ban from Aude department
Following deliberation, the court sentenced the defendant to twelve months in prison, less than what the prosecution demanded, with continued detention. Upon release, the convicted man will also be banned from residing in the Aude department for five years.
Source: Google News FR — Crime (fr)