Seven of 12 sentenced to 30yr over cannabis

SEVEN of 12 men convicted of being in possession of, transporting and selling cannabis, each received 30-year jail terms, with the court describing the drug as a “time-bomb killer”.
In Gulf, Kerema District Court senior provincial magistrate Francis Fingu sentenced the seven to 30 years each, while five received 10 years, five years, three years, two years and one year six months jail terms – according to the weight of cannabis in their possessions.
The seven were Waks Anau, 40, of Western’s South Fly, Awai Omere, 24, of Kowabu in Western, Willie Osei, 30, of Erave in Southern Highlands, David Reali, 30, Gebbie Tangi, 40, both from Tari in Hela, Samu Pup, 35, and Abel Kama, 34 both from Western-Highlands.
“Cannabis is a time-bomb killer in the community and offenders should be severely penalised by the law according to the quantity they have in their possession,” Magistrate Fingu said.
The seven men were jailed for 30 years each with hard labour at Bomana.
Police Prosecutor Constable Ernest Maika submitted that the seven men be jailed 30 years because they had large amounts of cannabis – between six and eight kilogrammes.
The five given less prison terms were Ben Wa, 34, from Erave in Southern Highlands (10 years for selling 4kg of cannabis), Ronald Willie, 32, from Poroma in Southern Highlands (five years for selling 25.9grams), Paulus Ekali, 32, from Kagua in Southern Highlands (three years for selling 13.5grams), Andabe Timothy, 28, of Tari in Hela (two years for selling 11.6grams), and Yalo Dima, 38, from Mendi in Southern Highlands (18 months for distributing 2.3grams).
Prosecutors Constables Ken Warato and Alfred Kumasi submitted that the five men should be given different jail terms based on the weight of the drug.
Meanwhile, Gulf Police Commander Chief Inspector Jeffery said the court must impose heavy penalties on drug offenders because drugs had the potential of destroying communities.