Cocaine trafficking: four Guyanese arrested in Île-de-France by Ofast 78
Four traffickers from Guyana were arrested in Yvelines and Seine-Saint-Denis by investigators from the Yvelines Anti-Narcotics Office (Ofast). This Ile-de-France network, nicknamed the “Guyana connection”, orchestrated lucrative cocaine trafficking from Cayenne.
A network dismantled after a year and a half of investigation
After 18 months of investigations, four men, aged 21 to 42, were indicted last Friday in Versailles for trafficking and importing drugs. Placed in pre-trial detention, these suspects are accused of having organized an airport importation system for cocaine, mainly supplying the south of Yvelines.
The profitability of this organization is notable: in Guyana, a kilo of cocaine sells for around 5,000 euros. Once resold in the Paris region, its price can rise between 25,000 and 65,000 euros, depending on whether it is sold wholesale or retail.
An investigation started in 2022
The case began in May 2022, when investigators from Ofast de Versailles became interested in a thirty-year-old residing in Guyancourt, in Yvelines. During a search in connection with another case, a small quantity of cannabis and valuable items were discovered at his home. Already known for drug cases, this man from Cayenne becomes the target of police surveillance.
A well-established system between Seine-Saint-Denis and Yvelines
Investigations show that the suspect frequently goes to a building in Neuilly-Plaisance (Seine-Saint-Denis) to collect cocaine, called “zipette”. In a few weeks, investigators identified half a dozen supply operations.
The trafficker is not limited to cocaine: he diversifies his trafficking by purchasing cannabis in Bezons (Val-d'Oise) to supply local consumers. He also travels to collect funds from other traffickers in Yvelines.
According to the information collected, the mules arrived directly by plane from Cayenne, left the goods in the apartment in Seine-Saint-Denis, then left. Each smuggler, paid around 5,000 euros per trip, transported up to a kilo of cocaine per trip.
Eight arrests, four traffickers imprisoned
On November 18, a large-scale operation was carried out simultaneously in Yvelines (in Guyancourt and Montigny-le-Bretonneux) and in Seine-Saint-Denis (in Neuilly-Plaisance and Villepinte). With the support of dog brigades and local forces, eight suspects were arrested.
Despite searches, investigators only seized the sum of 3,285 euros. No drugs were found. Four of those arrested, quickly exonerated, were released. On the other hand, the four main suspects, all known for drug-related crimes, were placed in pre-trial detention. They remained silent during interrogations.
High-stakes traffic for Île-de-France
This dismantling highlights the scale of the trafficking networks in Île-de-France, supplied by well-organized international networks. The “Guyana connection” illustrates the complexity of investigations into these transnational networks, where colossal profits are fueled by the precariousness of the mules and the growing demand for drugs in large cities.
Source: Le Parisien
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