Shadow minister defends a Khat smuggler

Dr. Jose Herrera, who is our country’s shadow minister on justice, and who only a few weeks ago lectured us (gosh we didn’t know) on the national security considerations of illegal immigration problems has turned up defending an illegal immigrant cum  khat smuggler in court.

In his article Dr. Herrera stated that “Contrary to general perception, the immigrants are only too aware of all our weaknesses. In fact, it has become a common tendency for them to take advantage.”

Yet in court, in his attempt to defend the Khat smuggler, he argued that the “immigrant had imported an unrestricted plant, so he should not be found guilty of doing something which was not a crime at law. Furthermore, he argued that their client did not have the intention to commit a crime.”

Thankfully our magistrates and courts are not yet that dumb. “The court described the argument that the accused had no intention to commit a crime “is lame at best”. It recalled how Khayre refuted ownership of the suitcase containing the plant and that it was wrapped in banana leaves in order to preserve both illegal psychoactive ingredients.”

Magistrate Hayman, rightfully states that the “influx of peoples from different cultures in our island does not and should not mean the acceptance of extraneous traditions especially ones with serious illegal implications”. Dr. Herrera kindly take note - for God’s sake, you are the shadow minister!.

I myself would only have qualified the magistrate’s statement to read that “the influx of peoples from different cultures in our island does not and should not mean the acceptance of extraneous traditions” - period.

The illegal immigrant turned smuggler was sentenced for six months. One expects that he will also be subsequently deported.

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