[Deathpenalty]death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Oct. 10




SINGAPORE:

Singapore nabs British, French expats in drugs swoop


Singapore authorities have arrested 23 people, 5 expatriates among them,
in a crackdown on a suspected high society drug-trafficking ring.

An officer at the Central Narcotics Bureau said the arrests were made over
the past two days, but there were no new arrests on Saturday.

In a statement late on Friday, the Bureau said it had seized 64 grams of
cocaine, 5.1 grams of Ice, 29 grams of cannabis and 52 Ecstasy pills, with
a total street value of around S$22,000 ($13,100).

The Bureau said the expatriates arrested included a Briton, a Frenchman, a
Sri Lankan and a Tunisian, but it did not reveal the nationality of the
5th.

Singapore laws fix a mandatory death penalty for anyone aged 18 or above
convicted of trafficking more than 30 gm of cocaine.

The penalty for possession or consumption of cocaine is a fine of up to
S$20,000, imprisonment for 10 years, or both.

The Bureau said the Tunisian and his Singaporean girlfriend had been
arrested for trafficking.

"If convicted of trafficking, they will face the death penalty," it said.

(source: Reuters)