Gambiaj.com – (BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau) – The Public Ministry of Guinea-Bissau has requested prison sentences ranging from 17 to 20 years for five individuals arrested at Bissau’s Osvaldo Vieira International Airport with approximately 2.6 tons of cocaine. The court has scheduled the reading of the judgment for December 27, 2024.

During final arguments delivered at the conclusion of the trial’s second session on Tuesday, prosecutors called for sentences of no less than 20 years for two of the defendants and 17 years for the remaining three. The trial commenced on December 4.

The prosecution asserted that it had proven the defendants committed crimes including international drug trafficking, criminal association, and the unauthorized landing of an aircraft.

On September 7, a private jet landed in Bissau carrying the cocaine. While Guinean authorities initially reported the aircraft originated from Venezuela, the defendants testified it had departed from Mexico and was en route to Mali.

The five crew members arrested aboard the plane include two Mexican nationals, a Colombian, an Ecuadorian, and a Brazilian.

In their defense, lawyers for the accused disputed the prosecution’s claims, arguing that the plane’s stop in Guinea-Bissau was due to an emergency and that the country was not its intended destination. “It was more than proven that the plane was not bound for our airport,” the defense maintained.

The Public Ministry also requested the confiscation of all assets in the defendants’ possession at the time of their arrest, as well as the seizure of the aircraft. Guinean President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has stated the plane will be sold, with the proceeds going to the state.

The court began hearing testimony on Monday, including statements from the defendants, who have been in pre-trial detention since September. The trial resumed Tuesday with testimony from five of the eight witnesses called by prosecutors.

This case represents the largest drug seizure in Guinea-Bissau’s history. On September 19, the Judiciary Police incinerated the confiscated cocaine in the presence of representatives from the international community.

The judgment in this landmark case will be delivered later this month, as authorities seek to reinforce the nation’s commitment to combating drug trafficking.