By Mustapha Jallow
The Drug Law Enforcement Agency Gambia (DLEAG) has busted and seized at least half a ton of suspected cannabis during the weekend, said DLEAG’s spokesperson, Ousman Saidybah on Sunday.
Saidybah told Foroyaa a total of 531 bundles that could amount to almost half a ton when weighed was seized.
He explained that the bust came when DLEAG agents stationed in the West Coast Region conducted an undercover operation that resulted in the seizure of 416 big bundles of cannabis.
He said one Pa Jabang, a Gambian national, was arrested with 18 bundles, while Babucarr Touray, a Senegalese national, was nabbed with 30 bundles and Pateh Kah, a Senegalese, also arrested with 26 bundles during surveillance operations.
“The officer equally recovered 11 big bags containing 342 big bundles of suspected cannabis,” Saidybah said.
He said both Touray and Kah were detected at Foni around Somita during an undercover operation last night. Jabang was busted at Gunjur Kombo South.
Meanwhile, a Senegalese national, Sulayman Jallow, 28-year-old, was busted with twenty-eight (28) big bundles of suspected cannabis on 29 May 2021, at Girong River side of the North Bank Region (NBR).
Saidybah said their operative agents were also able to recover eighty-seven (87) big bundles of suspected cannabis in the same operations.
“The seizure in total is one hundred and fifteen (115) big bundles of suspected cannabis,” he said. “The suspect, also a herdsman residing at Kerr ILO KAH in Senegal, is in under custody together with the said suspected prohibited drugs.”
He added that Jallow is currently held at DLEAG’s Farafenni station, awaiting to be transported to the agency headquarters in Pipeline for weighment and testing process by DLEAG Laboratory officers.
As for now, he said, investigation into the matter continues, saying that all the suspects were charged for possession of prohibited drugs for the purpose of drug trafficking contrary to section 43 (4)(e) of the Drug Control Act (DCA) 2003.
However, Saidybah said depending on the outcome of the investigations, the suspects could also be charged for dealing in prohibited drugs contrary to section 33.
