MUSLIMS ISSUE NOTICE TO COAST DRUG BARONS

Nairobi

Muslim scholars in Coast Province have given drug barons in the region a
one-month ultimatum to repent and quit the illicit business or face their
wrath.

The scholars, who have formed a committee comprising themselves, Muslim
elders and youth, say they have a list of about 10 major drug barons
operating in the province, their backgrounds and how they run the business.

They said list, which contains about 10 names, includes police reservists
in the region who abet the sale of hard drugs.

This opens a new front in the war against the sale and use of drugs in
Coast Province. In the past week police have cracked down on drug
trafficking in the region, and recently arrested a woman reported to be a
key figure in the trade.

Led by Sheikh Mohammed Sheikh, the scholars called on the Standard's
Mombasa offices yesterday and said the well-known drug barons now have only
a month to either repent in the nearest mosque or face a'fatwa