Latest news Fourth indictment in the "Presidente" drug ring case in Aargau

SDA

25.7.2024 - 10:46

A fourth member of the dismantled "Presidente" drug ring has been charged in the canton of Aargau. The members are alleged to have smuggled kilos of cocaine into Switzerland. (symbolic image)
A fourth member of the dismantled "Presidente" drug ring has been charged in the canton of Aargau. The members are alleged to have smuggled kilos of cocaine into Switzerland. (symbolic image)
Keystone

The Aargau public prosecutor's office has charged another man in the "Presidente" drug trafficking ring case. The 36-year-old Swiss-Serbian dual national is alleged to have sold 9.5 kilograms of cocaine in Switzerland as a customer of the main defendant. The prosecution is demanding a prison sentence of 7 years.

The accused allegedly procured the cocaine in 2021, as announced by the Aargau public prosecutor's office on Thursday. He is alleged to have achieved a turnover of at least CHF 400,000 and a profit of more than CHF 50,000.

The dual national is already the fourth person to be charged in connection with the "Presidente" drug trafficking ring. He must answer to the Aarau District Court on charges of multiple, in some cases qualified, trafficking in narcotics. He is also accused of other offenses.

Also trafficking in anabolic steroids

The charges include multiple violations of the Sports Promotion Act and the Therapeutic Products Act, multiple illegal pornography and depictions of violence as well as multiple violations of the Road Traffic Act for driving without a license.

According to the indictment, the man is also alleged to have dealt in illegal substances from the doping sector. The accused is alleged to have traded in banned substances such as anabolic steroids, growth hormones, anti-oestrogens and other illegal substances.

Drugs imported on a large scale

The drug ring was based in the cantons of Aargau and Solothurn. Investigations in summer 2021 revealed links to drug trafficking between several people.

The loosely organized group had been importing drugs into Switzerland on a large scale for two years, according to an earlier press release from the public prosecutor's office. Criminal proceedings have been opened against 20 people.