Ja: Patterson says no patty-cake with drug mafia

A tough-talking Prime Minister PJ Patterson yesterday made it clear that the country would not surrender to drug dons as he warned those with links to the illegal drug trade that their days are numbered.

"I am hearing from some unexpected quarters that we must leave the drug dons alone because they are doing so much for the economy and so much to promote community activity that we should let them stand," Patterson told the members of the People's National Party's National Executive Council from the podium of the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston. "Let me make it clear that they have declared war on us and we cannot and we will not surrender."

"I say to all those involved in illicit trade, it's only a matter of time before you are going to be caught in the dragnet. and face the full consequences of the law."