Arrested Saturday on the A31 by customs, in the Lesménils area, between Nancy and Metz, this 65-year-old Ukrainian assured, like so many other truck drivers, that he did not know he was transporting narcotics . But he escaped the three years firm required by the prosecution.
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Yesterday at 21:07 | updated yesterday at 21:29
Just seven months from retirement, the 65-year-old Oleh, of Ukrainian nationality, thought he was not going to enjoy his grandchildren for a very long time or that he would not be able to go quietly tease the stud with his fishing rod… Arrested on Saturday April 15 and tried in immediate appearance at the Nancy court for detention, drug transport, he indeed saw the prosecution request 3 years against him…
The 60-year-old was arrested by customs on Saturday, shortly after 8 a.m., while driving his truck on the A31 in the Nancy-Luxembourg direction. The Metz brigade, which circulates on the same axis, tells him that he must go out to the Bois du Juré area, in the town of Lesménils, to be checked there. The truck driver, who tows a refrigerated trailer, complies and descends from his cabin. To the customs officers, he indicates that he is heading north, more precisely towards the Netherlands, in order to deliver Chinese trinkets there.
Settled in Spain for twenty-five years
In the trailer, there are indeed Asian cups and teapots in shimmering colors. There are also, at the very bottom, boxes in which the customs officers discover a total of 161 kg of herbal cannabis…
Settled in the Alicante region for twenty-five years, Oleh, married, father of two children, indicates that he did not know that he was carrying drugs. He took possession of his cargo in the Barcelona area. Arrived in front of a closed warehouse, he saw three men disembark who told him that he could stay in his cabin, that they were going to load the heavy goods vehicle.
“Don’t take the hat off for someone else”
“Do you find it normal not to be present when your truck is loaded? », Slides President Massonie. “Do you know that you are responsible for it? “The sentence must punish but also send a message to society”, assures the representative of the prosecution who requires 3 years firm, with a warrant of deposit.
Me Laurence Nicolas, defending the defendant who does not want to “wear the hat for someone else”, insists on the age of his client who, for her, did not pay attention. “He is seven months from retirement and he would therefore have accepted to transport narcotics? It doesn’t make sense…” Judgment: release!
The prosecution could appeal. In this case, it will be necessary to get your hands on Oleh, released free as the air from the Nancy court this Wednesday, April 19. Certainly not won…
