Court news-Prisons officer in court over drug trafficking |26 December 2012

Nation learned the man was arrested on Saturday December 22 and appeared before magistrate Kishnan Labonte in connection with the trafficking of 20 grammes of heroin and 2.6 grammes of cannabis resin.
He was remanded for two weeks.

Seven boatmen’s remand extended

Seven men held on suspicion of drug trafficking appeared on Monday before magistrate Brassel Adeline who detained them for a further two weeks to allow police to complete their investigations, which Mr Adeline said are complex as they involve agencies outside Seychelles.

The court learned more people seem to be involved in the case in which the seven were caught on a boat by the National Drugs Enforcement Agency on Friday December 7, 2012 some 400 miles south of Mahe.

The drugs have been tested and certified to be cannabis, the court heard.
Experts are analysing the seven men’s mobile communication for clues into the case, the court was told.

Also in the men’s possession were a high powered military assault rifle and turtle meat along with sea cucumbers.

Extending their detention, Mr Adeline said while the system must uphold the rights of the suspects, it also has a duty to ensure that justice is done.

The seven men will appear in court again on January 7, 2013 when they are expected to be charged.