By Nelson Manneh
Officers from the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEA) arrested 31 individuals within a seven-day period on allegations of possession of illicit drugs, authorities confirmed.
Among those arrested were 26 drug-related cases, including two alleged child offenders (ACOs). Ousman Saidyba, Public Relations Officer of the DLEA, said one of the ACOs, a 17-year-old Gambian, was apprehended at Kitty Village in the West Coast Region alongside two adult Gambian men for joint possession of cannabis sativa, consisting of two bundles, fifteen wraps, and additional quantities.
The second alleged child offender, aged 16, was arrested at Nyofeleh Village in the West Coast Region, together with an adult Gambian male, for joint possession of sixteen parcels and two wraps of cannabis sativa.
Saidyba reported that out of the 31 detainees, 29 are Gambian nationals, while two are non-Gambians.
The cumulative seized drugs for the reporting period include 38 bundles, 18 parcels, and 215 wraps of cannabis sativa; seven wraps and seven pieces of cannabis resin (hashish); 124 wraps of kush; four medical plastic bags of skunk; 121 ecstasy pills; cocaine; and 32 wrapped units of molly.
During this period, the Agency filed 14 new drug-related cases across various courts nationwide. Eleven of these involved drug possession under Section 35 of the Drug Control Act (DCA) 2003, while three pertained to drug trafficking under Section 43.
Additionally, five drug-related cases were successfully concluded. Four involved drug possession, and one was a drug trafficking case. Kanifing Magistrate Court handled two cases, while Bundung, Brusubi, Bansang, and Basse Magistrate Courts each dealt with one.
