Pubdate: Fri, 18 Jul 2008 Source: Concord Times (Sierra Leone) Copyright: 2008 Concord Times Contact: http://www.concordtimessl.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4832 Author: Rachel Horner Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) 'COCAINE TRAFFICKERS IN FOR A RUDE SHOCK' Acting Chief Justice of Sierra Leone Thursday said those involved in the weekend Cocaine saga are in for a very rude shock. Justice Umu Hawa Tejan-Jalloh told a symposium organised by Manifesto 99 and the justice sector coordination office marking the International Day of Justice in Freetown that illicit drugs destroy the youth and the image of the country. "It is no longer business as usual in other countries such as Singapore , Thailand and Malaysia . There is a severe punishment for drug trafficking," she said. Tejan-Jalloh noted that similar punishment must be applied to those involved in similar heinous crimes that undermine and destroy the country's economy. "These include economic offences but not limited to money laundering, logging and child trafficking," she said. She appealed to the legislature to look into such laws with a view to revising drug addiction in order to reflect the social, economic and political implication in a view to removing the practice which is increasingly becoming a menace to the society. Executive Director of Manifesto 99 Abdul Rahim Kamara said as they were commemorating the day on which the international community adopted the Rome statute of International Criminal Court (ICC) in 1988, Sierra Leone cannot be a safe haven for people who violate international laws. Giving his keynote address Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abdul Serry Kamal said his government would continue to see to it that the administration of justice and respect for the Rule of Law is implemented. "We are committed to abetting impunity, improving security and domesticating Rome statute," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin