Four Frenchmen were on Friday sentenced to 20 years in prison in the Dominican Republic for drug trafficking.
In March 2013, just as Pilot Pascal Fauret, co-pilot Bruno Odos, passenger Nicolas Pisapia and alleged broker Alain Castany were about to take off from the Caribbean resort of Punta Cana, Dominican authorities apprehended them.
The authorities said they were preparing to take off in a mid-size Dassault Falcon 50 jet with 26 suitcases carrying 680 kilograms (1,500 pounds) of cocaine.
They were all found guilty of possessing illegal drugs and were given sentences ranging from 5 to 10 years in prison.
As stated by Maria Elena Gratereaux, the lawyer for the French pilots, she intends to appeal the court's decision.
The long-delayed trial was dubbed in French media as the “Air Cocaine” affair.