Miscellaneous – Justice | Cannabis, cocaine and Kalashnikov in Avignon: 1 year in prison
Following complaints from residents, indicating that a deal point was forming on Avenue des Vertes Rives in Montfavet, the police set up surveillance. They spotted a young man who was carrying a shoulder bag and included in his hand a sachet containing cannabis. Arrested, Gokhan Yilmaz, 24, was found in possession of 50 g of cannabis, a small precision scale, the sum of €740 and a telephone containing messages relating to drug trafficking.
During a search of his home, a bag containing cannabis and cocaine was seized, but also, in a cupboard, a Kalashnikov assault rifle – neutralized by hand – with an approved magazine, as well as ammunition various calibers. During his hearings, the young man maintained that the money came from savings, that the drugs were for his personal consumption and for “help out two or three friends“. As for weapons and ammunition, he says he has a “passion for war stories“. That’s why he would have bought”for decoration“, priced at €200, the Kalach’, on the Bonpas flea market.
Judged on Friday before the Avignon Criminal Court, Gokhan Yilmaz, assisted by Me Degirmenci, wishes to say that he is non-violent and that the weapon is for him”like a piece of iron to serve as decoration“. Then it comes up as “a heavy smoker who buys in large quantities” and absolutely not as a trafficker. Put in front of “evidence in the file” by President Mathieu, he lets go: “Seen like that, I agree with you“, before recovering and maintaining his line of defence. After deliberation, the court sentenced him to three years in prison, two of which were suspended on probation for two years, and a ban on possessing a weapon for 10 years. He returned to detention.