Andorra Prosecutors Seek 30 Years for Peruvian Cocaine Ring in Operació Llops Trial

Prosecutors in Andorra's Tribunal de Corts have wrapped up the 'Operació Llops' cocaine trafficking trial, seeking a total of 30 years in prison for the four main Peruvian defendants—eight years each for the first three, plus six years and three months for the fourth—along with fines up to €200,000 and expulsion from the Principat in three cases. The court has now closed proceedings for sentencing after final arguments from all sides.

The lead defendant, arrested in March 2024 outside his workplace carrying seven grams of cocaine ready for sale, €600 in cash, and two phones tied to transactions, faces the stiffest penalty despite prosecutors reducing their initial nine-year demand by one year. They cited his confession, cooperation, and steps toward rehabilitation as factors, while noting 242 grams sold over a year based on intercepted messages, plus drugs, packaging, and scales found in his apartment. He admitted local sales to cover rent but denied organized crime links. His lawyer requested four years—with part suspended—and immediate release after two years in pre-trial detention, highlighting his clean record, steady job, and prison reflection.

His flatmate, in custody for nearly two years, also faces eight years and an €180,000 fine. Over 130 grams—specifically 137 in one account—were seized from his room, with evidence of joint operations and profit-sharing from Barcelona sourcing trips. Prosecutors rejected his claim of mere storage.

The third defendant, freed provisionally in October 2024, saw his requested sentence rise to eight years and a €150,000 fine for trafficking around 280 grams, including sales in La Seu d'Urgell after the lead's arrest. Police linked 81 coded bank transfers—"TV" or "football"—totaling €16,000 to drug deals, boosting his €1,700-€1,800 salary. Messages used "pizzas" for grams.

The 43-year-old fourth, who skipped testifying on day two over reported death threats to his family, risks six years and three months plus a €40,000 fine as a key supplier delivering 10-15 grams every few days—up to 150 grams monthly, "substantial for Andorra." Officers seized 37.5 grams and €1,750 from him, plus €1,950 in Bizum payments. His defense demanded acquittal or no re-incarceration, questioning message links—verified via ChatGPT and official records showing common names—and noting his family custody proceedings and provisional release since November 2024.

Earlier trial days featured tense clashes. On day three, police detailed late-2023 surveillance triggered by tips of workplace and home sales, arrests including one with 3.3 grams and €170, deleted Telegram chats, codes like "roba" for cocaine, "sandías verdes" for Civil Guard, and "aguas revueltas" for patrols. They dismissed clothing sales alibis for lack of stock and noted €2,000 in post-arrest Bizum transfers. Defenses decried "unequal arms," prepped police-fiscalia questions, unassisted early statements, and "suppositions" on codes, prompting magistrates to intervene.

Consumption defendants—two Andorrans, two Peruvians—face three months' suspended night arrest and €1,000 fines. Prosecutors called the network "large and prolonged" amid rising drug crimes, urging deterrence. Defenses challenged search validity, drug quantity estimates, and overall proof.