The couple, who came from Liège, took a break on Tuesday at the Vémars rest area, on the A1.
It was there that customs officers intercepted him on his way back to Belgium.
The agents of the Gennevilliers (Hauts-de-Seine) brigade discovered in the Mercedes rental van, hidden behind the door fittings, two kilos of ecstasy tablets, the value of which is estimated at more than 20,000 euros.
They also got their hands on 32,000 euros in cash.
The woman was released. She was not aware of the operation. Mohamed L., 37, a father, a taxi driver, was brought for immediate appearance this Thursday after his police custody. He acknowledged the facts, such as his journey traced by investigators from the judicial police (PJ) of Cergy, who took over the customs file. Mohamed L. left Liège after a party, where he left his sponsors, unknown to him, to load the van in his absence.
The father then took the road with his partner, joining on instruction a parking lot near the Place de la Chapelle, in Paris.
There, he let strangers pick up the goods.
He then resumed the road, taking a break at the Vémars rest area.
"My companion needed air," he explained to the court hearing, confirming that she was not aware of anything.
"We sow death to offer vacations to our children"
“Two kilos is huge sir.
Especially since the tablets contain 60% of MDMA while the average rate is 30%, ”launches the president of the correctional chamber in the preamble.
“They advanced me the money to fix my work van.
I couldn't do it, ”explains the defendant, who lives in Molenbeek, near Brussels.
He confirmed having received 3,000 euros for the rotation.
Read also Alert on the circulation of overdosed ecstasys in Paris
He also justified himself by explaining to the court that he had to buy glasses for one of his two sons and offer them vacations.
"Do you think you've made the right choice for the children?"
The price for mules, in Bobigny, is four years firm and warrant of deposit.
And you will incur ten years… ”, annoys the president.
"I had no choice," Mohamed replies, drawing the wrath of the magistrate.
"Are you going to start over as soon as you get out?"
Are the dangers of drug use going over your head?
We sow death to offer holidays to our children in full consciousness.
It's perfect.
"
"I'm afraid of reprisals"
According to him, those who recovered the goods, the total quantity of which remains unknown, told him that the sachets had been torn, explaining the presence of the tablets on return.
He claims not to know the sponsors.
“These people are dangerous.
I am afraid of reprisals.
"
To "deter this type of trafficking", the prosecutor required against the defendant three years in prison and his placement under a committal warrant.
"Mules are chosen for their vulnerability," pleaded his lawyer.
These are people who are used as cannon fodder.
He assumed his responsibilities.
He said absolutely everything.
It is integrated.
He made the worst choice.
Don't give him the worst possible time.
The court's decision was expected in the evening.