Cocaine trafficking between French Guiana and mainland France: six years sought at Poitiers
Six people are being tried in Poitiers for cocaine trafficking between French Guiana and mainland France. The prosecution has sought sentences of up to six years in prison.
Eleven kilos of cocaine seized at Roissy, six defendants before Poitiers court
According to peyiguyane.com, the case began in January 2022, following approximately one year of investigation conducted by the Poitiers departmental police force, with assistance from the Paris drugs squad. It started with the arrest of a man at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport carrying eleven kilos of cocaine shipped from Cayenne and, according to the prosecution, intended to be delivered to Poitiers.
Further arrests followed in the Paris region and in Vienne. Searches resulted in the seizure of an additional two kilos of cocaine, 20,000 euros in cash, handguns and several high-end vehicles.
Proceedings marked by annulments
The trial experienced a particularly chaotic legal journey. The hearing was postponed four times, notably due to appeals filed by defence lawyers, who contested telephone interceptions, geolocation operations and certain searches.
The court ultimately ruled on the annulment of several procedural acts. As a result, three people initially placed under investigation no longer appear in this case, the evidence against them having been invalidated.
Conflicting versions at trial
During proceedings, the six remaining defendants presented opposing positions. The two men identified as the alleged organisers of the network denied any involvement. By contrast, the individual intercepted at Roissy with the eleven kilos admitted his participation in the trafficking, provided information about how the network operated and expressed regret.
Five of the six people tried are from French Guiana and were resident in Poitiers at the time of the offences. Four of them had previously been convicted in other cases.
Sentences sought: up to six years custody
Following proceedings, the public prosecution sought sentences ranging from four to six years' imprisonment against the three men considered the principal actors in the trafficking. For the three women prosecuted, notably for handling stolen goods — they are accused of having benefited from goods or sums derived from the trafficking, which they contest, claiming ignorance of the source of the funds — the prosecution sought sentences with suspension of execution.
The judgment of the lower court is expected on Thursday 29 October 2026.
Source: Google News MA — Crime (fr)