Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Somali pirates living the high life - Average ransom is $2,000,000.00


Somalia - "They have money; they have power and they are getting stronger by the day," says Abdi Farah Juha who lives in the regional capital, Garowe. "They wed the most beautiful girls; they are building big houses; they have new cars; new guns," he says. "Piracy in many ways is socially acceptable. They have become fashionable." Most of them are aged between 20 and 35 years - in it for the money. And the rewards they receive are rich in a country where almost half the population need food aid after 17 years of non-stop conflict. Most vessels captured in the busy shipping lanes of the Gulf of Aden fetch on average a ransom of $2m. More... Magazine Lane - Discount Cigarettes & Tobacco - Nutty News Marketplace - Coastal Contacts