French customs have intercepted 1.7 tonnes of cocaine, with an estimated street value of €51 million. The drugs were hidden in furniture shipped to France from Martinique under the pretext of moving houses. Several people, including a man living in Morocco, were arrested in connection with the case. Despite the fact that this took place some two years ago, the authorities are only now making this known.
Interception and arrests
The cocaine was discovered between 12 July and 9 August 2022. Detectives from the anti-narcotics brigade identified a suspect known as Eduardo, or 'Dodo'. Dodo, living in Mennecy, had frequent trips to Martinique and maintained contact with a moving company. Together with accomplices, he rented storage rooms and bought furniture in which cocaine was hidden. Dodo was arrested in late August 2022.
During his interrogation, Dodo revealed that in 2022, he was in contact with Kamel A., a professional poker player from Morocco. Kamel A. offered Dodo a lucrative job in Martinique for 3,000 euros, which involved buying furniture and renting premises.
Extradited and released
Kamel A. was arrested at a hotel in Barcelona and extradited to France in September 2022. However, he denies any involvement in drug trafficking. The investigation into the case is ongoing and is expected to take another eight months. Recently, Kamel A. was released by a court in Paris on 2 October because his lawyer failed to appear at the hearing.
Source: Metiers
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