Convictions for possession of Heroin and Cannabis

The Supreme Court has recently convicted two men and a woman for drug offences. On Monday the 13th of July 2020 Aldrin Shiva SOPHOLA a 23-year-old unemployed resident of Serret Road, St Louis was sentenced to 4 1/2 years imprisonment together with Gaitane Hazel GUILLAUME a 41-year-old coconut seller sentenced to three years imprisonment, both for trafficking in of a controlled drug. Officers of the Anti-Narcotics Bureau (ANB) arrested both on 4th March 2020 at Nouvelle Vallee, Beau Val-lon. Guillaume was in possession of 22.38grams of heroin, while Sophola had 50.20grams of heroin.

After his arrest, a search was conducted by ANB Officers at his girlfriend’s house where he usually resides and a sum of SCR 54,550/-in several denominations were found and seized. The sum of money was handed over by ANB to the Financial Crime Investigation Unit (FCIU) of the Seychelles Police Force for investigation and FCIU is awaiting Court’s order for a ruling on further keeping of the money.

The other man who was convicted earlier this month on Monday the 6th of July 2020 after pleading guilty to the charge of trafficking in a controlled drug, is Lenny Leeroy BASTIENNE a 25-year old casual labourer of Anse-aux-Pins. He has been sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for two years and a fine of SRC15, 000 which in default of payment within 30 days, he will serve a term of six months imprisonment. Lenny was arrested on Friday the 24th of January 2020 by officers of ANB of the Seychelles Police Force, when 129.34 grams of cannabis resin (hashish) plus a digital scale and SCR 31,463/-in several denominations were found in his possession.

The sum of money has been forfeited to the Seychelles Government by order of the Court.