In Ivory Coast, 18 of the 19 accused in an international cocaine trafficking case were sentenced on May 7, 2024 in Abidjan. Thirteen of them received 10 years in prison, the maximum sentence provided for by law, including the mastermind of the network, a Spanish drug trafficker and his Colombian right-hand man.
2 mins
With our correspondent in Abidjan, Marine Jeannin
In Ivory Coast, the twists and turns trial of international cocaine trafficking has just ended at the Abidjan Economic Penal Center. After three months of hearings, the court has just delivered its verdict: 13 defendants are found guilty of international drug trafficking and criminal conspiracy and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Particularly heavy penalties: 10 years is the maximum penalty provided for by law. They are therefore 13 out of the 19 accused to have received this sentence. Among them, the brains of the network, the Spanish drug trafficker Miguel Devesa, and his right-hand man, the Colombian Gustavo Valencia Sepulveda.
Read alsoIvory Coast: justice looks into the case of two tonnes of cocaine seized in 2022
60 billion CFA francs fine for Miguel Devesa
Several personalities from San Pedro, a port city in the southwest of the country, considered essential links in the network, were also sentenced to 10 years in prison: César Ouattara, a member of the Regional Council, Guy Serge Leïla Kouassi, the commander of the San Pedro naval base, and Commissioner Dosso Karamoko. The Franco-Ivorian businessman of Lebanese origin, Hussein Taan, owner of the restaurant Pasta e Pizza, as well as the cook of this restaurant, Bartolo Priolo, received the same sanction.
For five defendants, the sentences were lighter: 2 to 5 years in prison for complicity in drug trafficking and criminal association. Only one accused is acquitted: Lamand Bakayoko, the former head of the San Pedro anti-drug police.
The State of Côte d’Ivoire, which had become a civil party, obtained large sums in damages, the largest fine falling to Miguel Devesa, ordered to pay it 60 billion CFA francs (approximately 91 millions of euros). Everyone now has 20 days to appeal this conviction.