Singapore sentences Ghanaian drug trafficker to death: report

AFP ^ | 02 Jan 2009 | AFP

[BGHater]

A 20-year-old Ghanaian has been sentenced to death in Singapore for trafficking 2.6 kilograms (5.73 pounds) of cannabis, the Straits Times reported Saturday.

The High Court convicted and sentenced Chijioke Stephen Obioha on Tuesday after a 21-day trial held last year, it said.

Under Singapore's tough anti-drug laws, the death penalty is mandatory for anyone caught trafficking more than 15 grams of heroin, 30 grams of cocaine or 500 grams of cannabis.

The death penalty is carried out by hanging.

Narcotics officers arrested Obioha in April 2007 following a surveillance operation. He had come to Singapore in 2005 to try out for a football club, the report said.

He was not hired but remained in the city-state working as a middle man for electronics goods dealers. His immigration pass expired in January 2007.

Human rights groups have strongly urged Singapore to abolish the death penalty, but the government maintains that it plays a key role in keeping crime down and is a strong deterrent to organised crime gangs.

In December 2004 Singapore hanged a 25-year-old Australian drug runner Nguyen Tuong Van, despite appeals for clemency by then Prime Minister John Howard.

[WellyP]

There are places where you just do not break the drug laws! Sorry, you lose!

[Bobibutu]

I lived there in the 70s. The joke was “if you liked Nazi Germany, you'll love Singapore”. Clean, orderly, primarily 3 races and religions living in respectful harmony. You can get what ever you want, sex, drugs, etc. and as long do don't wave a red flag in the cops face - you can do what you please. Great waterskiing, history, food and cool people.

So, yes - if one is a decent, law-abiding capitalist Singapore looks like one of the finest cities in the world in which to live.

It is ... the cops take no sh*t from anyone - and have the power to do as they wish to keep the order.

[meatloaf]

No they don’t fool around. You won’t get hanged for it. But you can get in trouble in Singapore for chewing gum.

[truthguy]

This is the problem with the US war on drugs. We have 2 choices:

1. Draconian Laws and Enforcement like Singapore
2. Legalization and Decriminalization

What we are doing if a half measure and it will not work. We've been trying for 40-50 years. I know that we as a society will never do #1 so we might as well try #2.

[truthguy]

This is the problem with the US war on drugs. We have 2 choices:

1. Draconian Laws and Enforcement like Singapore
2. Legalization and Decriminalization

What we are doing if a half measure and it will not work. We've been trying for 40-50 years. I know that we as a society will never do #1 so we might as well try #2.

[NewHampshireDuo]

Chewing gum is ok. You can’t sell gum (and, of course, you can’t dispose of a wad of gum improperly).

[BohDaThone]

Ok — we were on different pages. THIS guy had over 5 pounds, but the Singaporeans will hang you for even a little over a pound. My apologies.

[traderrob6]

NP

[CARepublicans]

Yep, totally agree. Massive police state. NO freedom!

Better not speak out against the Govt when you are there.

[CARepublicans]

You can get what ever you want, sex, drugs, etc***

You can get whatever you want...including drugs? You’ve got to be kidding and playing with fire - red flags in cops face or not. And the people there tend to be arrogant - not cool.

[Nate505]

Man, why would anyone want to go to a crap hole like Singapore anyway?

[Nate505]

If one is a good slave Singapore looks awesome!

But if one believes in freedom, it looks like one the worst places in the world.

But hey, it’s clean and safe and many times clean and safe trumps freedom.