On August 18, wiretaps were set up and the names of Romain and Julien emerged. The former often communicated with people known locally in the drug world. Investigators then identified a Snapchat group including several people identified as sub-dealers. On February 13, searches were conducted at the homes of Christian, Julien, Romain and Lou. “In total, more than 600 grams of narcotics (cannabis and cocaine) were found, as well as several mobile phones, sums of money and precision scales.”the prosecution said.
Suspension, suspended sentence and community service
In front of the Charleroi justice system, Christian (just released from detention with conditions far from being respected) admitted to having started the business with Julien. The two men lived at the same address at the time. If Christian relapsed, it was because of a debt of more than 8000 euros concerning previous trafficking. The other protagonists admitted to having cracked after the death of a loved one or to finance consumption that had become too expensive.
For the prosecution, the organization set up by the criminal association and the seriousness of the facts should have led the court to pronounce severe prison sentences. Finally, the quartet obtained reduced sentences with favorable measures. Christian and Julien were sentenced to 30 months in prison, with a five-year probationary suspension. Romain and Lou respectively obtained a community service sentence and a probationary suspension of the sentence.
