“There is no evidence of a link with the drug trafficking», estimate the lawyers of three young men tried for money laundering. Monday January 20, Compiègne court sentenced these three defendants, stopped in a car by the police, to Venette with various amounts of cash in their pockets. €2,010 for Miguel Veloso Colim, €5,040 for Nelson Okemba Piri and €4,475 for Merdi Lufingu.
All three explained that there was nothing illegal about these sums found on them: salaries, loans, savings, etc.
Merdi Lufingu said he took the money from his parents. Miguel Veloso Colim explains that the money was lent to him by Merdi Lufingu. Just like Nelson Okemba Piri: “The money was for my suffering grandmother.”
They were arrested on November 28 at ten past midnight, in an Audi A1 driven by a fourth person. The police quickly smelled cannabis in this rental vehicle.
Before the police check, one of them went to an apartment in Margny
In addition to the money, the police examined the contents of the phones. Noting the presence of lists of names with, opposite, sums of money. Miguel Veloso Colim’s phone indicates that he searched for an address, rue de la République in Margny-lès-Compiègne. This is a building they went to.
The dog “marked” Antonio Dautheuil’s front door. In the apartment, they found 1.2kg of cannabis resin in the coffee table. “I got into drug trafficking,” he said. Overheard, a consumer in his repertoire confirmed that she got her supplies from him.
Antonio Dautheuil presents Miguel Veloso Colim “like a little brother” and says he knows “the other two by name”. That evening, Miguel came to collect a box of six gas canisters, before a party.
The court speaks of “easy” money
Investigators also discovered €1,540 in cash and weapons at Antonio Dautheuil’s house: a hunting rifle (which he allegedly got from his family), two katanas, a baton. “Two years ago, I was attacked in Compiègne,” he explains. He must answer for drug trafficking and possession of weapons.
He explains that he started selling at the end of April. “I must have had three arrivals,” he explains. I was “fat”.” He was selling 100g wafers. “I don’t know what they did with it.”
The defendant says that he worked on the telephone platform in the tertiary zone of Lacroix. “I was put under pressure after participating in strike movements,” he says. My salaries were cut. I took this option.” “The choice of easy money…” comments the president. “Given what happened next, we cannot say that it was easy money,” said the defendant.
“No justification for the legal origin of the funds”
During their hearings, the suspects tried to catch up with the statements of others, “to try to form a coherent whole,” notes the prosecutor. It is established that Merdi Lufingu has been “friends” with Nelson Okemba Piri since middle school. Nelson is a friend of Miguel Veloso Colim’s brother.
Antonio Dautheuil was only talked about for speeding. Merdi Lufingu has no criminal record, while Nelson Okemba has ten mentions, six of which were as minors. He was incarcerated three times in his life. Convicted thirteen times, Miguel Veloso Colim spent six times in prison. “I’m trying to get out of it,” explains the young man, who participated in drug trafficking in Clos-des-Roses. I no longer go to Compiègne. But each time, people put obstacles in my way.”
“Three of the defendants are being prosecuted for money laundering in connection with drug trafficking,” explains the prosecutor. Why is everything linked with the fourth person? Because there is this meeting that same evening.”
He believes that the money laundering suspects give “no justification for the legal origin of these funds”. He explains that for this offense, the burden of proof falls on the “person accused”, especially when everyone accuses him.
Detention required
He requires against Merdi Lufingu twelve months in prison including ten months suspended probation, with home detention under electronic surveillance for the firm part. And the confiscation of Dior brand sneakers, priced at €800 and of dubious origin.
Against Nelson Okemba Piri, “better known to the courts”, he is asking for 18 months in prison, including nine months with probationary suspension.
Against Miguel Veloso Colim a two-year prison sentence, including one year suspended on probation, with continued detention. He is asking for a three-year prison sentence against Antonio Dautheuil, including one year of suspended probation, with a committal warrant. “He was solely motivated by greed,” he considers.
Finally, he demands a fine of €5,000 against the four defendants.
Defense acquits for money laundering
Master Lisa Valette defends Merdi Lufingu. “He’s a student. My client leads a normal life, he is inserted… There is no proof of a link with drug trafficking. I am providing you with four years of pay slips. They are a couple and they are saving money.” She pleads for release and explains that “the Dior shoes seized by the police were a birthday present.”
“If we want to prosecute him for money laundering in connection with drug trafficking, let me prove the existence of this drug trafficking,” pleads Nelson Okemba Piri’s lawyer. The inaccuracies in the defendants’ statements are not lies.”
Maître Jérôme Crépin defends Miguel Veloso Colim. “To get the right acquittal, you need a good head, the absence of a record… Let’s imagine that the police had checked boys from good families, would we have the same reasoning? My client is right to be vindictive. He has always assumed responsibility until now.”
Master Adel Fares defends Antonio Dautheuil. “He suffered from a gambling addiction, which caused him to spend nearly €400 per month, to which was added a rent of €600. He grew up in Clos des Roses. Aix investigators, he declared “when you grow up in it (drug trafficking), it becomes morally acceptable”. He always worked. Paid at minimum wage on the platform, he was fighting for a bonus of €900 per year. He did not get into trafficking out of a desire to distrust the system. My client will answer for his actions, which he does not minimize. We have to help him. But not by sending him to detention. We have to take the “Dautheuil” bet.”
Money laundering declassified as concealment
The court reclassifies money laundering as receiving goods from drug trafficking. He confiscates the seized goods.
Miguel Veloso Colim receives two years, including one year of probation for two years, with accommodation under a bracelet.
Nelson Okemba Piri is sentenced to 18 months, nine of which are suspended for two years, also with an electronic bracelet.
The court imposes a twelve-month prison sentence on Merdi Lufingu, including six months suspended probation, with a bracelet for the fixed part.
And Antonio Dautheuil gets eight months, adjustable with an electronic bracelet.
The four defendants will have to pay a thousand euros fine. They will be required to work and prohibited from making contact.
