International Cocaine Smuggling Trial: Defendant Incriminates Co-Defendants and Implicates Mafia’s Wife
In a comprehensive confession during an ongoing trial for international cocaine smuggling on behalf of the Mafia, a female defendant has implicated numerous co-defendants, including the wife of the main accused.
According to her testimony, the main defendant’s spouse was deeply involved in the criminal activities. The 45-year-old defendant, who previously owned a nail salon, claimed that the wife had confided in her about personally undertaking numerous smuggling trips.
"When she gave me a used smuggling vehicle for personal use, the main defendant’s wife told me, ‘In return, you’ll do my eyelashes and nails for the rest of my life,’" the defendant testified.
She further stated that the main defendant, her husband, kept himself constantly updated on the smuggling operations and demanded to be informed about every successful border crossing.
A car mechanic, who inspected the vehicles used for smuggling, corroborated the defendant’s claims. He testified that during one inspection, he discovered a magnetic tracking device hidden under the car, while on another occasion, he found a sophisticated listening device concealed within the interior panels.
The self-professed former legal assistant has already been sentenced to ten years in prison in Italy and now faces additional charges in this trial. Several other defendants have also indicated their intention to confess.
In contrast to the cooperating defendants, the 64-year-old main defendant has refused to comment on the allegations, opting only to provide details about his education and career. He stated that after completing secondary school, he trained as a metalworker and worked in that field for several years. Subsequently, he held various jobs, including establishing a debt collection agency.
Alleged Mafia-Linked Drug Trafficking Ring
The trial centers on five men and three women accused of organizing the smuggling of nearly 900 kilograms of cocaine on behalf of the Italian Mafia. An angling paradise in the Ruhr region allegedly served as a legitimate business facade for their illicit activities.
The defendants stand charged with forming a criminal organization and trafficking drugs or aiding and abetting such trafficking.
The eight German defendants range in age from 36 to 64 and originate from various cities including Hattingen, Dortmund, Wuppertal, Remscheid, and Castrop-Rauxel. The main defendant, a 64-year-old from Hattingen, is believed to have profited €2.2 million from the drug trade.
The trial is being held in the high-security wing of the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court due to its sensitive nature.
