By Karin Hendrich
He is known as one of the event managers in the Friedrichshain club scene. Unfortunately, he not only successfully organized events, but also traded drugs: Azar M. (48), German-Syrian, family man. Now he is before the court.
In the summer of 2020, he had bought and sold hashish and marijuana by the kilo. Without being discovered. Until two and a half years later, thanks to the EncroChat data cracked by French investigators, the investigators were at his door. The suitcases for the flight the next day to the Thailand vacation with wife and children were packed in vain. The holiday funds were confiscated from his jacket in the cloakroom (12,530 euros). As well as around 100,000 euros from his accounts.
Because of debts as a restaurateur, he got into it at the time, according to the accused now before the district court. “The lenders put the pressure on.” That’s why he committed himself to selling drugs. “I know: the wrong way.”
An anonymous tip had put the investigators on the trail of “solidking”. To his brisk business between April and June 2020 via the messenger service. Once it was about the sale of 8 kilos of “Lemon Haze” (marijuana). However, the buyer returned 1 kilo due to quality defects. Once it was about the purchase of 11 kilos of “Red Lebanese” (hashish). 54 kilos in one fell swoop…
Of the 1.3 million euros (!) total turnover from the indictment, however, the court struck out everything that had gotten stuck in the “verbal trading” stage. Means: What was communicated but not delivered. Demonstrably taken by the accused: almost 170,000 euros.
The accused (10 years ago before the district court for drug trafficking) promised to “seriously close the chapter”.
The verdict: Four and a half years in prison for trafficking in narcotics in large quantities. But exemption from detention until the start of detention. Because: insight, remorse, orderly circumstances, permanent residence, no risk of flight…