Last Thursday, Marseille criminal court sentenced Vladimir Slaets, a 36-year-old Belgian, to 13 years in prison for drugs trafficking, reports La Provence. Wanted by several European police services, the Belgian national was convicted of having set up a cannabis import route from Morocco using go-fast boats. His 37-year-old brother, Boris Slaets, was sentenced to 4 years in prison. A 10-year sentence had been requested for Boris Slaets, considered by the French judicial to be his brother's right-hand man. Six other people were sentenced to between 3 and 6 years in prison.
Joint operations between European police and judicial authorities uncovered in 2006 the existence of an organisation which used a supply ship that can carry up to 12 tons of drugs. The supply ship would distribute its cargo in international waters to a flotilla of speed boats which then sailed to the Spanish coast. The drugs were destined to hit the Northern European market.
(Source: Belga)
