Polish court extends detention for suspected drug trafficker Patryk M. until May 5, rejecting defense’s freedom measures.
Detention Extended
On Tuesday (February 3), the District Court in Lublin decided to extend the detention of Patryk M., alias “Wielki Bu”, until May 5. The court cited a significant risk that he could impede ongoing proceedings and coordinate a common version of events with others. RMF FM reported the decision.
The defense, according to Wirtualna Polska citing PAP, had requested freedom measures including a 500,000 zloty financial guarantee, police supervision, and a travel ban.
Charges Against Patryk M.
In November, Patryk M. was presented with five charges by prosecutors in Lublin. Investigators suspect he was part of an organized criminal group operating primarily in Poland’s Pomeranian Voivodeship, as well as other regions and in the Netherlands and Spain.
The National Prosecutor’s Office stated the group dealt in significant quantities of drugs including marijuana, cocaine, amphetamine, hashish, mefedrone, clefedrone, and ecstasy. “Wielki Bu” is suspected of trafficking 17kg of marijuana (black market value: 850,000 zlotys) and 2kg of amphetamine (value: 60,000 zlotys), making it his permanent income source.
Additional charges include participating in the theft of an Audi Q7 worth 60,000 zlotys, after which its VIN was modified, and fraud in its sale for 41,000 zlotys. Patryk M. committed these acts as a recidivist.
The “Wielki Bu” Case
Patryk M. has not pleaded guilty to the charges and has refused to provide explanations. He was arrested on September 12 at Hamburg Airport on a European Arrest Warrant. Police stated the operation was conducted at the last minute as the suspect planned to travel to the United Arab Emirates. He was handed over to Polish authorities in early November.
