Eddy L.: Paris-Marrakech Money Laundering Network on Trial

Eddy L., the central figure in a trial for arms and drug trafficking taking place in Paris until 11 February, firmly denied on Thursday having led a large-scale network. While the 40-year-old defendant rejected allegations of selling weapons of war, declaring from the stand that “this isn’t Texas,” the proceedings focused largely on the group’s financial connections with Morocco.

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The prosecution suspects a structured money-laundering operation directed toward the Kingdom, where Eddy L. had settled in October 2021 before surrendering to the authorities. Investigators added compelling material evidence to the case file, including payment receipts for the purchase of two off-plan apartments in Marrakech, as well as a real-estate purchase deed in Dubai.

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Cash flows to Morocco are at the heart of the investigation. The defendant’s sister, tried for criminal conspiracy and money laundering, admitted to transporting more than 17,000 euros in cash across the Mediterranean. Questioned about the sums sent to him there by other co-defendants, Eddy L. downplayed the facts, describing them as repayments of personal debts rather than profits from organized crime.

In addition to the eleven defendants present, the shadow of two absentees hangs over the hearing: two other suspects, currently the subject of arrest warrants, are strongly suspected by the French justice system of having found refuge in Morocco.