Two foreign traffickers jailed for six years

Two foreign nationals were each jailed for six years and fined €3,000 after admitting to being in possession of more than 300 grams of cocaine with intent to traffic the drug.

30-year-old, Sedia Djallo, born in the Ivory Coast and residing in Paceville together with Bacari Mane`, 32 residing in Lisbon, were charged with drug possession and trafficking drugs within 100 meters from a place frequented by youths.

After days of observation, on 12 May 2012, police officers raided an apartment in Paceville. The accused were found inside, sitting at a kitchen table. On the table the officers noted a measuring scales, a knife, a roll of tissue paper and a plastic bag containing two capsules. A torn Vodafone card with traces of white powder on it was also on the dinner table.

In Djallo’s bedroom, the police found a bag with 21 capsules. Each capsule measured about 5cm in length and had a circumference of 1.5cm. Inside a locked suitcase, opened with a key found on Mane` investigators found  €1,310 in cash. During the raid a total of €2,300 were found and seized.

Court experts reported that inside the 23 capsules they found 339.57grams of 58.3% pure cocaine. The seized drug has a street value of €27,166.

Considering the accused's guilty plea and the considerable amount of drugs found, Magistrate Miriam Hayman jailed each of the accused for six years and fined them €3,000 individually. The court said the convicted had admitted their guilt taking full responsibility of their actions. The two men were also ordered to pay €7878.14 in court related expenses.