Cocaine and cannabis trafficking in Bastia: five defendants tried for €245,000 in gains
The criminal court of Bastia has been trying a drug trafficking network active in the Bastia region since 7 July for operations conducted between 2023 and 2024.
Drug trafficking network in Upper Corsica: five men before Bastia court
According to Google News FR — Crime (fr), the criminal court of Bastia has been examining since Tuesday 7 July a drug trafficking case that operated in the Bastia region between 2023 and 2024. Five defendants are appearing, three of whom are in custody. Gendarmes seized 23 kg of cannabis resin, 150 grammes of cocaine and €40,000 in cash. The investigation established that the trafficking could have generated approximately €245,000.
The investigations revealed regular transactions: bag handovers and meetings near "dealing points" identified at Lupino and Toga, two sectors of the Bastia urban area.
Laurent Gautard, presented as network leader at 23 years old
Laurent Gautard, already known to the justice system for arson at the establishment La Mise au verre, robbery with violence of a Rolex and a previous drug case, is identified as the network head. The magistrate noted that he used for his meetings an Audi Q4 belonging to the SCI of Graziella Mattei, sister of Jean-François Mattei — the latter placed under investigation for three murders in a separate case. Gautard dismissed any link: "I knew him in prison. But I don't know what his name is doing in this case."
Several suspects identified him as "the boss" during their questioning. The court president specified that Jean-Maxime Farade, before retracting before the judge, had mentioned transactions and "a drone takeoff towards Borgo prison with packages thrown into the prison yard". Tom Chevalot, in his twenties, is described as the one who packages the parcels and pilots the drones.
Co-defendants speak at the hearing
Before the court, Chevalot acknowledged his participation without naming his accomplices: "I never transported kilos." David Micheloni, of the same generation, adopted a similar position. Arrested in another matter in a car with €35,000 in cash and under the influence of drugs, he is currently in custody: "Drug use, gambling and bad company led me here."
Stéphane Pasqualini, 54 years old, stands out in the courtroom. Presented as a "safe house keeper" in this case — the person at whose home the young defendants allegedly gathered to organise trafficking — this former cocaine addict speaks with careful vocabulary. According to the investigation, these meetings allegedly took place "without his knowledge". He stated: "I have the impression I was taken for a fool. I would have liked not to have to participate in the uglification of our poor world."
Mathieu Boshert, a former drug addict, is the defendant at whose home the most significant seizures were made. He acknowledges minimal participation.
Gautard described as "most concerning personality"
The court president assessed that Laurent Gautard presents "the most concerning personality" of the group. The defendant nevertheless describes himself as a simple delivery man: "I'm not going to take part in this theatre of informants. The investigation was botched."
Questioned about his background — he has known only eight months of freedom since he turned 18 — Gautard stated he wanted to leave France. He concluded: "In Corsica, apart from getting involved in racketeering, there are no other ways to get ahead."
The judgment was expected by Wednesday evening.
Source: Google News FR — Crime (fr)