A 24-year-old Albanian national accused of involvement in a cocaine trafficking network in Paris has been released after a procedural mistake invalidated his pre-trial detention order.
The suspect, identified as Mirsad, was arrested on 19 February and charged with drug trafficking and participation in a criminal organisation. However, a technical error in the court documentation led judges to overturn the detention order.
According to defence lawyer Sarah Monchalin, the clerk responsible for the case failed to sign the official document authorising the suspect’s detention. As a result, the investigative chamber ruled that the order could not legally be enforced.
Following the decision, the court ordered the suspect’s release under judicial supervision. He must report to a police station in central Paris twice a week and provide a residential address in the city within 48 hours. Authorities warned that failure to comply with these conditions could lead to a new arrest if he is located.
Police investigation into cocaine network
The case stems from a police investigation into a suspected drug distribution network operating in the Paris region.
Investigators believe the group used several apartments as storage sites for narcotics and organised trips to Belgium to obtain supplies of cocaine and other drugs.
Authorities say the network operated through a system resembling a delivery service, with clients placing orders through encrypted messaging platforms before the drugs were distributed.
Police arrested three suspected members of the organisation on 17 February during a coordinated operation. Searches carried out at their homes led to the seizure of nearly two kilograms of cocaine, synthetic drugs and approximately €4,700 in cash.
During questioning, the suspects reportedly admitted involvement in the trafficking operation. Mirsad told investigators he was acting under the direction of a man known as “Vela”, claiming he had been pressured to participate due to a €10,000 debt.
The suspect said he had arrived in France in January 2026 and had no previous criminal record. However, investigators believe he had made several trips between France and Albania prior to his arrest.
