New laws to step up fight against drugs |22 July 2008

This will also allow the state to confiscate property acquired from the proceeds of crime.

The assembly yesterday approved unanimously the Anti-Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, the National Drugs Enforcement Agency Bill and the Proceeds of Crime (Civil Confiscation) Bill.

Vice-President Joseph Belmont presented the three linked Bills to the assembly, saying they are necessary to intensify the fight against drugs and other crimes associated with the supply of drugs such as money laundering.

He said a Financial Intelligence Unit set up under the Proceeds of Crime (Civil Confiscation) Bill will have the power to take immediate action if it has reason to believe a crime is being committed.

The National Drugs Enforcement Agency created under the enforcement agency Bill will be made up of officers from various state agencies such as the police, immigration and customs.

Mr Belmont said the two agencies are aimed at complementing and reinforcing the powers of existing bodies already doing a remarkable job in the fight against drugs.

Seychelles Nation will return to the Bills in a more detailed article.