As part of the investigation, the police were interested in the victim’s entourage. Investigations led to the discovery of cannabis plantations in Braives and Houffalize, as well as drug trafficking.
In Braives, during a search of the home of Orlan Mélon’s mother, investigators found that the cellar was used for a cannabis plantation. On site were nearly 1,200 stacked pots and used drying nets. The electric meter had been bypassed. On February 15, 2024, a second search carried out in Houffalize revealed the existence of a cultivation of 632 cannabis plants in the attic of a home. The electrical installation had also been bridged. Faced with investigators, the owner admitted to having accepted that a cannabis plantation was set up in his attic. In exchange, he received rent.
A kidnapping that does not convince the police and the lifeless body of a Liège resident found
Productions of 80,000 euros
The two plantations were managed by Orlan Mélon and relatives. The investigation shows that the illicit assets collected can be estimated at nearly 80,000 euros per production.
Orlan Mélon had been kidnapped by men who had blocked his car. He was kidnapped before being shot twice.
Fifteen people, suspected of being involved to varying degrees in these two cannabis crops and in the sale of narcotics between January 2021 and February 2024, were arrested at the end of this investigation.
Seven defendants were referred to the criminal court for cannabis cultivation. They were notably suspected of having participated in the Braives and Houffalize plantations by carrying out the necessary work (bridging the electrical installation, installing insulation and drying equipment, etc.) or maintaining the plants. and harvesting cannabis.
Some of them were accused of having fraudulently subtracted electricity to the detriment of Ores and Resa. Defendants were also charged with possession, transport or sale of cannabis. Among them, some, keen to diversify their activities, were prosecuted for selling cocaine.
“Thank you for the complaint and for the 48 hours at the police station”
The chamber specializing in cases of organized crime and drug trafficking of the Liège Criminal Court on Thursday sentenced Brandon Mathy, Orlan Mélon’s right-hand man, to a five-year prison sentence, including four prison terms. The owner of the Houffalize building received a 36-month prison sentence while the mother of Orlan Mélon, who had agreed to the installation of a cannabis plantation at her home, was sentenced to a prison sentence of 36 months. imprisonment of 18 months.
Brandon Mathy is the main accused in the Orlan Mélon assassination case. The case is still under investigation.
