- Suspected drug dealer back in court
A suspected member of a drug trafficking ring is once again standing trial at the Hamburg Regional Court. The 40-year-old was previously sentenced to six years and nine months in prison in May 2023. However, the Federal Court of Justice overturned this verdict on appeal by the prosecution and ordered a retrial at the regional court.
Over 800 kilograms of narcotics sold
According to the indictment, the 40-year-old allegedly conspired with four other individuals in 2020 to traffic large quantities of drugs. The ring is said to have smuggled over 250 kilograms of cocaine, 480 kilograms of marijuana, and 100 kilograms of amphetamines into Germany and sold them in the Hamburg and Berlin areas. Two other members of the ring have already been convicted, one receiving over 12 years and the other 11 years and three months, as reported by the court's press office.
Ring made over a million euros in profit
The defendant is alleged to have acted as a "bunker keeper," storing the drugs and serving as a courier to buyers within Hamburg. Between spring and June 2020, the ring is said to have earned over a million euros. In the first trial, the regional court found the 40-year-old guilty only of the charges in which he was directly involved. However, the Federal Court of Justice ruled in its decision that the court must now examine whether the defendant aided and abetted in other cases, which could result in a heavier sentence.
Lighter sentence possible due to new cannabis law
At the same time, the regional court must also consider whether the defendant is entitled to a lighter sentence due to the new cannabis law. The minimum sentence for band-related trafficking of cannabis has been reduced from five to two years. The court has scheduled two more sessions, and a verdict could be reached on August 26. Due to medical reasons, the 40-year-old's detention order has been suspended.
The Office of the Prosecutor appealed the initial verdict of the 40-year-old in the drug trafficking case, leading to a retrial at the Hamburg Regional Court. During the investigation, it was revealed that the drug trafficking ring, which the 40-year-old was a part of, made over a million euros in profit from selling drugs like cocaine, marijuana, and amphetamines.
