The police arrest a drug dealer
Drug trafficking is a lucrative business to traffickers that think Africa's security is weak, therefore, it is a good place to transit drugs to Europe.
The Gambian government, over cocaine seizure in a fishing village last year, has sentenced eight foreign nationals to fifty years imprisonment each. The eight foreign nationals are four Venezuelans, two Dutch, a Nigerian and a Mexican.
"The Gambian has determined to curb drug trafficking," Said Judge Lamin Tabally, in his judgment. The Gambian government has made it clear to drug traffickers that the Gambia, is a place that will not welcome such indulgence.
One of the accused, a Venezuelan, died in detention at Banjul, the capital of natural courses, said the prison chief medical officer. The eight foreign nationals were arrested last year, in a fishing village near Banjul, after 2.1 tons of cocaine was found hidden in a warehouse belonging to a fishing company.
Following the constant use of the Gambian coast for drug trafficking, last year, Attorney General, Edward Anthony Gomez, said the government would introduce harsher laws to curb illegal drug trade, including a death penalty for anyone convicted of possessing more than 250g of cocaine or heroin.
The new Belgian passport
As of the effect of next year (2012), Belgium will introduce a new passport that features the fingerprint of the holder. The change is necessary in order to comply with the European legislation dating as far back as 2004.
Mr. Michael Malherbe, the spokesman to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, clarifies Belgium's decision, following the 9th September attacks. To enhance security, airports will be equipped with electronic devices allowing passengers to identify themselves automatically.
In another development, it has emerged that most of the issued Belgian passports in the system are faulty because of the loose plastic sheet covering a page. The Foreign Ministry plans to change passports for holders without a cost.
The leader of the Vlaams Belang, Philip Dewinter, is distraught over the way Antwerp is gradually changing significantly from a peaceful city into a dangerous city for the inhabitants.
In the new version of the “Antwerp's Nieuws,” the Vlaams Belang nieuws magazine, Mr. Dewinter openly spoke against the Mayor of Antwerp, Patrick Janssens, and other parties. He disclosed that a report carried out by the Federal Police in Antwerp states that crime has increased significantly by 26.8 percent within 10 years. (2000-2010)
According to the news magazine, "during the tenure of Mayor of Antwerp, Patrick Janssens, and SP.a, N-VA, CDV, VLD -the majority took the recorded crime in Antwerp into consideration as it escalates to tackle the problem, but nothing was done. After the 2006 elections, Mr. Janssens promised to reduce crime by saying "priority of priorities" would be, yet nothing was achieved.
Unfortunately, today, there is little progress in fighting against crime in Antwerp. On the contrary, the viability of our city is becoming more and more dangerous. According to police figures, much of the crime is committed by foreigners. "Multiculturalism is rapidly increasing and is responsible for many criminal activities." He said.
According to the magazine, it's difficult for the council to link immigration and crime in the city. Mr. Dewinter gave an example of an incident that took place at Handelstraat, in Antwerp-North, when retailers rightly took the law into their own hands, namely the drug dealers and illegal immigrants in the district, by fighting.
According to Mr. Dewinter, although 90% of drug dealers in the city of Antwerp are illegal immigrants, Patrick Janssens refused to combat their illegal activities. The actions of the retailers of Handelstraat are not only an act of legitimate self-defense but an indictment of life because of the loose safety policies of Mr. Janssens and Co.
I agree with Mr. Dewinter on some of the issues, but not all. In every advanced country, criminal activities are always blamed on foreigners, but most of the nationals are hardened criminals too. For example, in Italy, there exists the Mafia, Ndrangheta, and the Camorra. These underworld criminal groups have ruined the country beyond remedy, but they always blame foreigners for criminal activities in the country.
However, I agree with him on the flexible action on criminals in the city of Antwerp. I have been asking myself time and time again if the Antwerp police are afraid of Moroccans. Amongst foreigners of African origin, if ten criminals are caught, nine would be Moroccan and the other would be a Nigerian or Ghanaian.
Yet when a Moroccan and a Ghanaian are soliciting for a job, the Moroccan would be accepted. Is it because of their colour, or are people simply afraid of their aggressiveness?
It is never too late. If the mayor of Antwerp wants the inhabitants of the city to enjoy a peaceful, crime-free environment, then he must be tough on criminals. Seriously, something must be done.
Antwerp is full of criminals because the police are weak. Crime can never be eliminated from any society, but it can be controlled and reduced. Moroccans must fear the police, but not the contrary.
