Case against four Frenchmen accused of drug trafficking opens today, Monday, 9 March 2015 in Santo Domingo. The four men, including two pilots of a leased jet that was about to be flown to Paris, are accused of attempting to smuggle 700 kilos of cocaine on 20 March 2013. The case has been delayed in court since its first hearing on 1 December 2014.
The pilots, Jean Fauret and Bruno Odos, are on trial along with passengers Nicolas Pasapia and Alain Castany. 42 Dominicans were also arrested in connection with the case, including airport staff and security and customs agents at the Punta Cana International Airport. 27 of them were released last year and 10 have their hearings pending.
Judge Giselle Mendez presides the Santo Domingo court where the case is being heard at the Palacio de Justicia in Ciudad Nueva. On the first day, prosecutor Milciades Guzman is scheduled to read the accusations and present elements of proof.
French pilots’ union directors are expected to attend the hearing. The pilots have always maintained their innocence, saying they were not aware of the content of the 26 suitcases that were confiscated from the airplane, which belongs to French businessman Alain Afflelou. The pilots say they are not customs or police agents and that they transport luggage and passengers every day. They argue that the luggage is inspected in customs and it is not their responsibility to inspect it again.
http://elnacional.com.do/luego-de-dos-anos-inicia-juicio-a-franceses-acusados-de-narcotrafico/