GAMBIA INTRODUCES DEATH PENALTY FOR DRUG SMUGGLING

October 5, 2010: a new law approved in Gambia sets anyone convicted of possessing more than 250 g of cocaine or heroin could be sentenced to death, a punishment which must be ratified by President Yahya Jammeh.
The previous penalty for possession of that amount was a jail sentence of 30-40 years.
Treason is the only other offence in Gambia which merits the death penalty. (Sources: Reuters, 06/10/2010)