The investigation into the deadly escape of drug trafficker Mohamed Amra has taken a dramatic turn with the indictment of popular French rapper Koba LaD. On Friday, March 28, 2025, Koba LaD, whose real name is Marcel Junior Loutarila, was placed under investigation for criminal association in connection with the events surrounding Amra's escape, which resulted in the deaths of two prison officers and injuries to three others.
Amra escaped during a violent incident at the Incarville tollbooth on May 14, 2024, prompting a massive manhunt that culminated in his arrest in Romania in February 2025. Koba LaD, 24, was already in pre-trial detention awaiting trial for aggravated manslaughter following a car accident in September 2024 that resulted in the death of one of his passengers in Créteil.
His legal troubles deepened when he was extracted from his cell on Monday, March 24, 2025, to be questioned by investigators. Following 96 hours of police custody, Koba LaD was presented to a judge, who ruled on his placement under investigation for criminal association, a charge that carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. His attorneys, Stéphane Cherqui and Arthur Vercken, have vehemently denied any wrongdoing, stating that the charges against him are unfounded.
“The indictment of Koba LaD in this case is based on nothing,” they stated. “His hearings have shown that Koba LaD has no connection to the escape or the flight of Mohamed Amra. He did not prepare them, fund them, was not informed about them, and did not participate in them.” They argue that his celebrity status has led to undue scrutiny and that they are determined to clear his name.
In addition to Koba LaD, five other individuals were also presented to judges for indictment on March 28, 2025, as part of the ongoing investigation. A total of 25 people were arrested on March 24, 2025, with 23 apprehended in France and two in Germany. Those arrested in Germany are believed to have assisted Amra in his escape to Romania.
Investigators suspect that Koba LaD had at least some awareness of Amra's escape plan, especially given that the two men shared a cell in December 2022, while both were incarcerated. Furthermore, it has been reported that Koba LaD’s cell was under surveillance for several months, during which police monitored his conversations with members of the Black Manjak Family (BMF), an organization with alleged ties to criminal activities, including drug trafficking.
According to sources, Koba LaD significantly increased the salary of a staff member just days before Amra's escape, raising suspicions about his potential involvement in the criminal organization. This staff member, Hervé M., is also under investigation and has been linked to the events surrounding the escape.
The investigation continues to expand, with a total of 27 individuals, including Koba LaD, now under investigation. Six are suspected of being part of the commando that attacked the prison van at the tollbooth. The incident on May 14, 2024, was particularly brutal, leading to the tragic deaths of two prison officers.
Adonis Correa, another associate of Amra, turned himself in to authorities in Thailand on March 26, 2025. He had been on the run and was subject to an Interpol red notice. His extradition to France is expected in early April 2025. Meanwhile, two additional suspects arrested in Morocco are also awaiting extradition.
Koba LaD's legal issues are compounded by his previous conviction for violence against his former manager, for which he was sentenced to 15 months in prison in January 2025. His ongoing legal battles raise questions about his future in the music industry, as he awaits trial for aggravated manslaughter in the separate case involving the car accident.
As the investigation unfolds, the ramifications for Koba LaD and the broader implications for the music community continue to be a topic of intense media scrutiny. His attorneys remain steadfast in their commitment to proving his innocence, asserting that the charges against him stem from his notoriety rather than any substantive evidence.
With the investigation still in its early stages, many details remain unclear. However, the intertwining of Koba LaD's career with criminal allegations paints a complex picture of a young artist caught in a web of serious accusations. As the legal proceedings advance, the public and fans alike will be watching closely to see how this high-profile case develops.
