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(海角在线免费) - Seychelles' officials have seized $456,000 worth of ill-gotten assets from drug trafficking, the first such seizure since the聽National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA) extended its mandate聽to include such an authority late last year.

The accused, 32-year old Hubert Alphonse from Pointe Larue, a district in the east of Mahe, 厂别测肠丑别濒濒别蝉鈥� main island, was charged under the Proceeds of Criminal Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

Alphonse pleaded guilty to acquiring the assets through illegal means. Last month the island nation鈥檚 Supreme Court ordered the seizure of his assets worth. Alphonse was also fined $3,854.

厂别测肠丑别濒濒别蝉鈥� Attorney General Ronny Govinden said the assets included a car-hiring business with 12 cars operating under the name Mahe Safari, a plot of land and $98,000 worth of foreign currencies.聽

鈥淭he accused was not arrested with any drugs, but we found enough money and other assets in his possession that he could not account for,鈥� said Govinden.

Under the Anti-Money Laundering Act of Seychelles, a person found guilty is liable to a fine of around $380,000 or a prison term of fewer than 15 years or both.

鈥淏ecause he (Alphonse) took a plea bargain and his assets outweighed the fine set under the law, he did not receive a prison sentence,鈥� said Govinden.

The seizure of Alphonse鈥檚 assets is the result of a two-year investigation. According to the local authorities, he had amassed assets over a short period and had a lifestyle not in line with his earnings as a clerk.

The investigation, which involved the NDEA, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the Office of the Attorney General, culminated with charges against the suspect in March.

Niall Scully, NDEA鈥檚 Chief Officer, said although Alphonse did not receive a prison sentence, he remains a person of interest.

鈥淗e is not immune to be re-examined if we suspect he is trafficking again. We will definitely look into it,鈥� said Scully.

厂别测肠丑别濒濒别蝉鈥� Minister for Home Affairs, Charles Bastienne said, 鈥淭hrough this seizure we want to send a strong message. Drug traffickers should not benefit at the expense of youths they have poisoned.鈥�

Alphonse is the first among eight top drug traffickers being investigated, to have his assets seized by local authorities in Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean.聽

In his in February, Seychelles President James Michel said authorities were doubling their effort to ensure that the eight main drug traffickers are arrested and brought to justice.

鈥淪ome of their assets have been seized temporarily while we proceed with the cases to ensure they have no way of disposing of these assets,鈥� said Govinden.

Bastienne said any assets seized as part of criminal activities will be sold, and proceeds go towards rehabilitation programme for drug users.

Drug trafficking and drug use, particularly heroin, remain a major concern in the island nation.