Paris Court Convicts Two in International Arms and Drug Trafficking Case

It all started with intelligence received on August 1, 2016, by the third district of the Paris judicial police regarding cannabis and cocaine trafficking organized in a hair salon on Avenue de la République in Aubervilliers. The police placed the premises under surveillance. Connections were uncovered with a contact in Vitry-sur-Seine (Val-de-Marne). Investigators discovered that customers arrived empty-handed and left the shop with bags and packages, reports Le Parisien.

In September 2017, the Versailles (Yvelines) anti-gang brigade (BRB) and a judge from the Paris interregional jurisdiction learned that at the barber shop, two Kalashnikov rifles were being sold for 2,500 euros each. Investigations then resumed. Investigators targeted Nidal, a 40-year-old man, and his accomplice nicknamed "Nono" (37 years old). During a search conducted at Nono’s home in 2021, police seized 2.9 kg of cannabis, a pistol, and two rifles.

They also seized twelve phones and dozens of bank accounts and luxury cars during months spent monitoring the two suspects. Nidal’s criminal record shows 12 convictions for theft, receiving stolen goods, violence, kidnapping, and drug trafficking, while Nono’s record shows seven convictions for the same charges.

The two men appeared before the Paris Criminal Court. At the stand, Nidal "denied everything outright". "I sold many things. Hookah tobacco, phones, restaurant tickets... People came to pick up their products at the hair salon but also packages," he explained. His accomplice, Nono, was more cooperative. It emerged from his explanations that during this period, he was losing at poker and had debts. "To survive, I sold cannabis," he confirmed while downplaying his activities.

He maintains that he was the drug mule. When questioned about the weapons, Nono explained that the weapons were to be sent to Morocco "for hunting". After the pleadings, the Paris Criminal Court examined and delivered its verdict on April 29. Nidal and Nono were sentenced to two years in prison with suspended sentence and three years with twenty-eight months suspended. A rather light sentence due to the age of the facts, dating back nine years.