Seven convicted in the Llops operation appeal sentences in Andorra's Superior Court

The Superior Court of Andorra is hearing appeals from seven individuals convicted in the Llops cocaine trafficking operation, with the lead defendant requesting a reduced sentence of four years in prison—three years to be served and the remainder replaced by permanent expulsion from the Principat.

His lawyer argued that the original six-year term handed down by the Corts court was disproportionate. She emphasized the defendant's confession of the facts during the trial, his sincere remorse, lack of prior record, and exemplary behavior over more than two years at La Comella prison, where he has worked and studied. The defense noted that his family returned to Peru due to financial difficulties after his arrest, leaving his young children—including one with special needs—in a precarious situation. The lawyer warned that a lengthy sentence would harm the minors' well-being, damage the defendant's mental health, and hinder his reintegration, with his sole aim being to return home and start anew.

Prosecutors opposed the request, contending that the Corts court had already reduced the initial penalty by two years to account for the confession—made only during the oral hearing after incriminating evidence was presented. They stressed the defendant's role in trafficking 271 grams of cocaine and argued the six-year term remains appropriate.

Defenses for the other six convicts—three classified as traffickers and three as consumers—sought acquittals or sentence reductions, claiming convictions relied on insufficient evidence and flawed interpretations. Lawyers challenged WhatsApp messages referencing "clothes" and "food" as proof of drug purchases, arguing they lacked direct links to transactions and violated the presumption of innocence. One attorney also raised partial nullity of the sentence, alleging a Corts judge lost impartiality through certain trial questions.

Public prosecutors defended all convictions, citing a clear trafficking pattern in the exchanges—involving grams, meetings, and deals—and urged the court to uphold the penalties.

The hearing continues with final arguments from the remaining defenses.