WorldA French anti-drugs policeman was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday for stealing nearly 50 kilogrammes (110 pounds) of cocaine from a safe in the headquarters of the Paris force. He was seen leaving carrying two bags and was detained by police around a week later with 24,000 euros in cash and the code for a safe saved in his mobile phone, prosecutors said. The case shocked the Paris force which has been buffeted by a series of scandals over the last few years. “I'm unable to excuse myself, so I can't ask them to excuse me,” he said, while continuing to deny that he was responsible for the theft. The drugs remain unaccounted for, but an accomplice, 35-year-old Farid Kharraki, was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday for helping sell the cocaine.

Source: Sunday Times March 17, 2017 14:37 UTC