Malam Bacai Sanha Jr, the son of Guinea-Bissau’s late president, has been sentenced to over six years in prison by a US court for leading an international heroin trafficking ring. The 52-year-old was convicted of conspiring to import drugs illegally and using the proceeds to finance his aspirations to seize power in Guinea-Bissau through a coup.
Sanha Jr’s involvement in the drug trade was not just for profit but also aimed at funding his bid to become president of Guinea-Bissau, authorities revealed. His father, Malam Bacai Sanha, served as the country’s president from 2009 until his death in 2012.
According to US authorities, Sanha Jr orchestrated the trafficking of heroin from various countries to Portugal and also facilitated its transportation from Europe to the United States. He was arrested in Tanzania in August 2022 and subsequently extradited to the US to face trial.
During the trial, Sanha Jr admitted to his role in the drug conspiracy, pleading guilty to the charges. FBI agent Douglas Williams emphasized the significance of Sanha Jr’s connection to the former presidency, stating that his motive was to establish a “drug regime” in Guinea-Bissau.
Sanha Jr, also known as “Bacaizinho” in Guinea-Bissau, has held several government positions, including serving as his father’s economic adviser. He was reportedly involved in a failed coup attempt in February 2022, which aimed to overthrow President Umaro Sissoco Embaló.
It is alleged that Sanha Jr used drug proceeds to fund the coup plotters, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals, primarily security personnel. Guinea-Bissau has long been known as a major hub for drug trafficking, with cocaine from Latin America being transported through the country en route to Europe.
Experts have highlighted the pervasive influence of drug traffickers and networks within Guinea-Bissau’s government, often financing political campaigns to ensure protection for their illicit activities. Sanha Jr’s conviction underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the country in combating drug-related crime and corruption.
SOURCE: BBC
