Kaido Koitmets, an Estonian national, was yesterday convicted and sentenced to a 10-year jailed term, in default to pay a fine of D15 million for drugs-related offences by the Banjul Magistrates' Court.
He pleaded guilty to the charge of being in possession of prohibited drugs for the purpose of trafficking when arraigned before Senior Magistrate Hilary U. Mbeke.
In passing the sentence, the presiding magistrate stated that the issue of drug trafficking has become a global problem, and needs strict measures to stop the menace around the borders and airports.
According to him, the only way drug trafficking can be curtailed globally is by giving the traffickers maximum jail terms to send a signal to all would-be traffickers.
According to the particulars of offence, on 26th February 2010, at
In his plea of mitigation, the Estonian convict begged the court to temper justice with mercy, as he is a first-time offender, and was remorseful of the act.
