Toulouse: a dealer leaves for 3 years in detention
Monitored by the police for several months in the district of Gloire, in Toulouse, a man and his accomplice have just been sentenced to prison terms despite their denials.
Several months of investigation allowed investigators from the Departmental Security Stups to identify three men suspected of being at the head of drug trafficking, avenue de la Gloire, in Toulouse. The investigation began with an intelligence in the spring. In September, Ahmed, designated head of the network and two accomplices were arrested. The searches revealed € 10,330 in cash, scales, packaging bags and a dozen telephones.
Before the Toulouse Criminal Court, Ahmed, 35, on whom the majority of the charges weigh, denies en bloc: “I am a sports betting player, who wins. I am not someone who is steeped in drugs ”. “Sir, how is it that you are in constant contact with drug dealers, that you have been given advice and yelled at? », Is surprised the president Myriam Viargues. “I am a simple consumer and I often lecture them”, justifies the defendant, already condemned ten times.
Same speech on the side of Houari, 43, suspected of playing the right arm and who was observed in relation to money by dealers: “I gave them cigarettes to sell. I have never trafficked drugs. I am someone who works ”. Abdallah, 44, less involved, also proclaims his innocence: “I am a simple father who works for his three children”.
The defense blames “the lack of evidence”
The prosecutor is not convinced. “The prosecution is often criticized for focusing on small sellers. Certainly it is neither Pablo Escobar, nor the Medellín cartel, but these people were beginning to take on a certain dimension ”. He requires 5 years in prison against Ahmed, “the one who behaves like the manager”; 3 years, one of which was suspended against Houari, the “lieutenant-launderer” and acquitted her “for the benefit of the doubt” concerning Abdallah.
“I don’t pretend to sell you the truth. I simply have the humility to suggest that you doubt ”, announces Me Eric Mouton, defender of Ahmed. “We are forced to do with what we have and we have little to claim 5 years in prison! “. Me Frédéric David, lawyer for Houari, also criticizes the weakness of the evidence. “Deeply dubious assertions, based on no objective evidence!” », Denounces the lawyer.
The court sentences Ahmed to 3 years in prison, Houari to 2 years, one of which is suspended and confirms the release, supported by Me Laurent Nakache-Haarfi.