Stockholm

DEPORT DRUG DEALERS FOR LIFE

Heroin trade. Preventive work and tougher measures are some of the
proposals on how the growing heroin trade in Stockholm will be stopped. The
Gambians responsible for the drug trade must be severely punished, says
Rishala Njie, chairman in the Organization of Gambia. At the same time,
Stockholm Police Commissions have to save 66 million Swedish crowns during
1999, something that among other things negatively affects the fight
against the drug trade.

Friday was an extremely rough day for Rishala Njie, chairman of the
Organization of Gambia in Stockholm. He awoke to yesterdays Dagens
Nyheter's headlines about the drug trades avalanche-like development, and
city police commissioner Leif Jennekvist's claims that Gambia is
responsible for as good as the entire heroin trade in Stockholm. "I am
ashamed," says Njie "What has now happened is devastating for my country
and I am deeply sorry for the illegal drug trade which takes place in the
area around Sergels torg." "I don't question the information from the
police," Njie emphasize, who has been living in Sweden since 1978, father
of two, and in the middle of a taxi-education of the employment office's
direction.

"I believe in work and sweat and want to live an honest life; what takes
place is devastating, not only for me and my family, but for Gambia as a
nation as well. I had a black out when I took part of yesterdays article."
Rishala Njie demands tougher measures from law enforcement, social
services, well every effort from the society to combat drugs. He would like
to see tougher sentences and a change in attitude on part of the
government. "Deport the drug dealers for life, I don't want them here. I
want my children to grow up in a safe community. Free from drugs." says Njie.

Gambia's role in the heroin trade attracted attention in 1990, a trade
which has grown at an immense rate, with the government as spectators.
"That is my opinion. The measures have lacked alignment and have been too
limp. Contact with the authorities should have been established when the
first alarms reached us. At the first suspicion - one should be prohibited
to leave the country" Njie says. During the period between Sep 22 and Dec
18 the police have worked with "operation david", against drug trade in the
inner city and the subway system. Under the command of Per Uno Hagestam, 83
arrests have been made, 53 of these are in custody - most suspects are
Gambians. Hagestams groups have been thinking in new ways, they have worked
with fast seizures and arrests.

"Fast actions cause rings on the water. Eventually the worry among the
dealers is so big that they disappear or look for new places for the trade
to take place." says Ola; one of three drug enforcement officers Dagens
Nyheter met yesterday. The Gambians part from other drug dealers in a very
important consideration. They are very seldom abusers, they are on the out
side very well behaved businessmen, often considered among the upper
classes of society and at the "plattan" drug scene to quickly make
millions. The price of a capsule containing 0,1 gram of heroin today is 300
Swedish crowns.

"I wish that the police could open up a dialogue with our Organization of
Gambia. There are numerous reasons why my country now stands as a leader
behind the drug trade, both political and economical. I believe we can make
a difference, beside the traditional methods of the police" Rishala Njie
says. In the middle of the 90's Njie was in contact with the board of
criminal care and applied for a permit to visit jailed Gambians, with the
intent to exchange earlier contacts and to help take the first steps
towards a drug free existence. The offer was rejected. "We have to try all
paths," Njie accentuates.

The use of vomit syrup is one of them. All trade today occurs according to
the "mouth to mouth method", the heroin capsule is kept under the lip and
vanishes down the stomach lightening fast in case of an arrest. With the
use of vomit syrup, the evidence will come right back up in less than ten
minutes. Now the suspect is put on a toilet under surveillance, which is
both expensive and demands a lot of time. But the department of Justice
says no, on reasons of integrity. But in Norway the method works fine,
there vomit syrup is used and the open drug trade has decreased
considerable, says Per Uno Hagestam. During 1999 the police in Stockholm
have to save 66 million Swedish crowns. It means a continued belt and
Hagestam wont be able to go from three to four reconnaissance groups. Both
Nije, Hagestam and officers like Ola, Uffe and Pelle stresses the need for
a political will to combat the drug trade. It is fully possible, with more
resources and the right backup, Uffe concludes, group chief with drug scene
"plattan" as workplace.

Checked-by: Richard Lake