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Son of French Connection drug ring mastermind jailed for trafficking cocaine Son of French Connection drug ring mastermind jailed for trafficking cocaine
(35 minutes later)
The son of one of the men behind the world’s most prolific heroin smuggling ring, dubbed the “French Connection”, has been jailed for six years Tuesday for trafficking cocaine. The son of one of the men behind the world’s most prolific heroin smuggling ring, dubbed the “French Connection”, has been jailed for six years for trafficking cocaine.
Didier Filippi, 54, was found guilty on Tuesday of trafficking cocaine between Marseille and the French Riviera.Didier Filippi, 54, was found guilty on Tuesday of trafficking cocaine between Marseille and the French Riviera.
His father Homere Filippi was the mastermind behind a gang that shipped vast quantities of heroin from Turkey to the United States via France and Canada in the 1960s and 1970s.His father Homere Filippi was the mastermind behind a gang that shipped vast quantities of heroin from Turkey to the United States via France and Canada in the 1960s and 1970s.
He disappeared without a trace following the 1981 murder of French judge Pierre Michel for which he was convicted of ordering and subsequently sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment in 1988.He disappeared without a trace following the 1981 murder of French judge Pierre Michel for which he was convicted of ordering and subsequently sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment in 1988.
His son was found to have sold 11kg (24lb) of cocaine between September 2013 and March 2015.His son was found to have sold 11kg (24lb) of cocaine between September 2013 and March 2015.
Several other defendants in the case, heard at a court in Draguignan, south-east France, were sentenced to between 30 months and six years for their involvement in the drug ring.Several other defendants in the case, heard at a court in Draguignan, south-east France, were sentenced to between 30 months and six years for their involvement in the drug ring.
Related: French Connection man fights to have new drug case against him dismissedRelated: French Connection man fights to have new drug case against him dismissed
Mathieu Bedjadi-Zampa, the son of another French Connection mastermind – Gaetan Zampa – was also accused in the case but killed himself before the verdicts could be delivered.Mathieu Bedjadi-Zampa, the son of another French Connection mastermind – Gaetan Zampa – was also accused in the case but killed himself before the verdicts could be delivered.
Prosecutors said that the case against the defendants could have been titled “the children of the French Connection”.Prosecutors said that the case against the defendants could have been titled “the children of the French Connection”.
They added that the “very well organised network” had generated profits of more than €100,000 ($110,000) in just two years.They added that the “very well organised network” had generated profits of more than €100,000 ($110,000) in just two years.
The investigation began in September 2013 following the discovery of three packets of white powder in a vehicle belonging to Filippi during a customs check.The investigation began in September 2013 following the discovery of three packets of white powder in a vehicle belonging to Filippi during a customs check.
France’s role in the international heroin trade was famously portrayed in the 1971 film “The French Connection”.France’s role in the international heroin trade was famously portrayed in the 1971 film “The French Connection”.
In 1972, French customs police in Marseille seized 425kg of heroin as part of an operation that broke up the network.In 1972, French customs police in Marseille seized 425kg of heroin as part of an operation that broke up the network.