Guinea-Bissau’s Ex-President’s Son Sentenced to Prison for Drug Trafficking
Malam Bacai Sanha Jr, the son of Guinea-Bissau’s former president, has been handed a substantial prison sentence by a US court. Sanha Jr, aged 52, has been convicted for orchestrating an international heroin trafficking network, with intentions allegedly tied to funding a coup to ascend to power in his native country.
The verdict, which came after a series of legal proceedings, marks the culmination of a case that has captured international attention due to its political ramifications. Sanha Jr, who served as an economic adviser to his father during his presidency, reportedly harbored ambitions of seizing power through illicit means, according to authorities familiar with the case.
The intricate web of allegations against Sanha Jr implicates him in a failed coup attempt in February 2022. His extradition to the United States in August 2022, following apprehension in Tanzania, paved the way for his trial and subsequent sentencing. In September last year, he pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to illegally import drugs, a move that shed light on his alleged involvement in drug trafficking activities.
Describing Sanha Jr’s role in the drug trade, FBI agent Douglas Williams emphasized the gravity of his actions, stating, “He is the son of the former president of Guinea-Bissau and was trafficking drugs for a very specific reason – to fund a coup that would eventually lead him to the presidency of his native country where he planned to establish a drug regime.”
The sentencing, which spans over six years in prison, underscores the severity of the charges brought against Sanha Jr. Despite his prominent familial ties and prior roles within the government, including serving as his father’s economic adviser, he now faces the prospect of deportation upon completion of his sentence, as he is not a US citizen.
Reports suggest that Sanha Jr’s involvement in the foiled coup attempt in 2022 extended beyond mere association, with allegations of personal engagement in financing the plot. The coup, which resulted in casualties including members of the security forces, sheds light on the volatile political landscape in Guinea-Bissau, exacerbated by the pervasive influence of drug trafficking networks.
Guinea-Bissau, long plagued by the scourge of drug trafficking, has struggled to combat the illicit trade, with the country often labeled a “narco-state” by international observers. The intertwining of political ambitions and criminal enterprises underscores the challenges faced by authorities in curbing the influence of drug cartels and restoring stability to the region.
