Monday, the truck driver, of Spanish nationality, was sentenced by the criminal court of Perpignan to 5 years in prison, 5 years of inadmissibility, and a stiff customs fine, of more than 1.3 million euros.
On June 17, he was apprehended by customs officials at Port-Vendres, at the Boulou toll booth, in the Pyrénées-Orientales, very close to the Spanish border, indicate the customs services. According to the documents presented by the driver, the man was traveling from Valencia to Rome to transport onions.
Goods estimated at 7.7 million euros
But when they took a look at the shipment, customs officials discovered 771 kg of cannabis herb in boxes, hidden among the onions. The value of this catch is estimated at 7.7 million euros on the illicit narcotics market. The 22 tonnes of onions in the shipment were sold to a wholesaler.
According to customs, it is often the case that criminal networks choose food, especially fruit and vegetables, to conceal drug shipments. Thus, a few days ago, customs seized 552 kg of cannabis resin hidden in 19 tonnes of melons and watermelons.
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Gard: The gendarmes come for a license suspension, they leave with 17 feet of cannabis
News
Stamps: Customs seize 552 kg of cannabis and… 19 tonnes of watermelons and melons
- Justice
- Drug
- Cannabis
- Languedoc-Roussillon
- Perpignan