Guinea drug charge for Conte son

Conakry, 13 Nov-(ANA)-A Guinean court has charged a second son of the late President Lansana Conte with drug trafficking.

Moussa Conte and his three alleged associates deny importing machines for the manufacture of narcotics, saying they were for processing bio-fuels.

The military junta, which seized power after Mr Conte's death in December, has promised to stop gangs using Guinea as a hub for smuggling drugs into Europe.

The junta is under pressure after some 157 protesters were killed recently.

Correspondents say Guineans at first hailed the junta's efforts to clamp down on the drugs trade - for example military leader Capt Moussa Dadis Camara quizzed members of an alleged trafficking ring live on television.

But many see the latest move as an effort by the regime to distract attention from the stadium massacre on 28 September when troops opened fire on opposition protesters.

Five police officers, who held senior positions under Mr Conte, were also charged with drugs offences. (ANA)

FA/ANA/13 November 2009-----