Five Men Convicted in Reims Over Cannabis Ring Dubbed “Champagne Connexion”
Breaking news from Reims: A criminal court in the Marne region found five men guilty after two days of hearings in connection with a cannabis trafficking operation described by investigators as highly organized.The group promoted under the name “Champagne Connexion” used a Telegram channel to showcase its activity.
Prosecutors characterized the network as a structured enterprise, with a visible leadership and a clear division of labor. Julien H. was presented as the person at the top by the state’s attorneys, receiving a five‑year prison sentence. Three other defendants where given three years each (one of these suspended), another received two years, and a fifth was sentenced to 18 months (with one suspended) after opting out of a prior admission procedure.
The verdict, delivered Tuesday evening, fell short of the eight-year maximum sought in the afternoon by the deputy prosecutor. Earlier, ten individuals linked to the organization—eight men and two women—had already been convicted under a different procedure last month.
The examination revealed a modern drug‑selling operation that resembled a retail business. Promotions, new products, and incentives for loyal customers formed part of the scheme, which relied on secure messaging to coordinate deliveries. Investigators noted that 467 customers had been identified after requiring a copy of their identity card for delivery.
An average of 2,000 euros per operating day
Extract from investigators’ summary
The network operated seven days a week and used a method described by investigators as akin to a “home drug delivery system,” generating up to 60,000 euros in monthly turnover at peak activity.
A June 2022 search of a hangar north of Reims uncovered more than 160 cannabis plants, with materials suggesting potential expansion to higher volumes. The operation was meticulously documented—sales lists, staff rosters, and a promotional strategy spread across social networks.
Customers connected via Snapchat, while orders and delivery addresses were transmitted to couriers through encrypted Signal messages. The operation also relied on prepaid phones and SIM cards issued to members,with a data-laden USB key listing 2,110 Snapchat profiles as a customer file.
Despite earlier police custody actions, the trafficking resumed, and a hierarchical structure emerged by late 2023. Investigators outlined a network chart that included a logistics head, a stock assistant, team leaders, couriers, a “nurse” to handle the drugs, a switchboard operator, and a financial coordinator handling transfers. Between September 2022 and November 2023, authorities estimate the organization’s turnover reached about 865,000 euros.
During the January 13 hearing, Julien H. recounted his path from student life to involvement in the operation after answering a Snapchat recruitment post. He acknowledged participating in the scheme but disputed the notion that he led the network,describing himself as a facilitator who acted as an intermediary. He said the dealings were conducted exclusively through Signal communications with those he termed “the people I worked for.”
In a tense exchange, a 2023 encounter with a man visiting from Holland raised questions about the flow of money. Julien H. described handing over funds but refused to specify the amount, stating that his responses were limited to a Telegram thread. A later defense line referenced a message claiming possession of 100,000 euros in Panama, which he denied as a credibility stunt.
In closing, Julien H. told the court that prison life had felt longer than the actual time served, but he attributed his circumstances to the absence of a strong support network at the time. He emphasized that his recent associations have provided him with a sturdier entourage and better guidance.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Reims, Marne, France |
| Operation name | Champagne Connexion |
| Primary defendant | Julien H.(reported as network head by prosecutors) |
| Sentences | Julien H.: 5 years; Two others: 3 years (one suspended); One: 2 years; One: 18 months (one suspended) |
| Turnover (Sept 2022–Nov 2023) | Estimated at 865,000 euros |
| Identified customers | 467 confirmed via ID verifications |
| Key methods | Encrypted messaging (signal),social media (Snapchat),Telegram promotions |
Evergreen Context: What this case Illustrates About Modern Drug Networks
The Reims verdict underscores how contemporary drug operations increasingly mimic legitimate businesses. Digital channels enable rapid promotions, anonymous orders, and responsive logistics, while encrypted communications help participants evade traditional surveillance. Law enforcement continues to adapt by tracing digital footprints, analyzing turnover, and mapping organizational roles from procurement to delivery and finance.
Public safety implications extend beyond the courtroom. Local communities often feel the impact through increased traffic, competition with legitimate vendors, and concerns about youth exposure to illegal commerce. These cases also highlight the importance of cross-border awareness, given the involvement of foreign associates noted during investigations.
For readers seeking broader context, experts point to a growing trend in which criminal networks blend digital marketing tactics with traditional criminal operations, blurring lines between commerce and crime. Stakeholders—from lawmakers to social platforms—face ongoing challenges in balancing access, privacy, and security.
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follow our updates as authorities continue to detail the investigation’s implications for local safety and digital policing.
