Many young people in Seychelles are unaware that in 1990
five musicians and two technicians from the British pop band UB40, who was on a
tour in the Seychelles, were arrested on suspicion of possessing marijuana. This
was announced by Mr. Raymond Louise, who was then Seychelles Deputy Police Commissioner
(DSPC) at the time.
According to Mr. Louise, the police had enough evidence to
charge the seven members of UB40, but the Seychellois authorities decided to
deport them instead. Being disgraced after a failed tour, the group did not want
the matter publicized, and again the police had to intervene when UB40 members scuffled
with a British photographer trying to take their pictures as they boarded an
Air France flight to Paris.
According to Seychelles Law, anybody who is deported cannot
be accepted back into the country, unless the deportation order has been lifted.
We have no information to say that this has been the case - since deportation
has given them the status of undesired visitors. However, in the case of UB40
the rules are being relaxed, since the British pop band will be here in the
Seychelles as guest artists during the official opening of the Eden Blue Hotel.
We hope that this
time around they will behave themselves and show respect to their host at Eden
Island. We wish them a successful tour in Seychelles. This time the NDEA with
its Irish contingent will be there to deal with them. The band has English,
Scottish and even an Irish as part of the group - it might make things
interesting if they clash with Skully, Quinn and Burke. We are looking forward
to this adventure.
Source:Independent
