Spaniard among 13 jailed in Ivory Coast for drug trafficking

A court in Ivory Coast has handed down a 10-year prison sentences to 13 people involved in a major cocaine trafficking ring.

They include a Spanish former police officer who was described as the mastermind of the smuggling operation.

More than two tonnes of cocaine were seized in the port cities of Abidjan and San Pedro two years ago.

Those found guilty were also ordered to pay a fine of almost $100m (£80m) each.

They include an Ivorian regional councillor and a police commissioner.

The public prosecutor said the investigation had uncovered a vast drug trafficking network operating between South America, Europe and Ivory Coast.

Most of the cocaine was due to be moved on to Europe, India and Australia.