By Louise Jobe and Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx)
Lamin Gassama, the Director of Intelligence and Investigations at the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of the Gambia (drug squad), appeared before the Bakau High Court to testify in the ongoing drug trafficking case involving Banta Keita and Sheriff Njie.
Gassama appeared on three different days before the court – 27th, 28th and 29th December 2020.
Appearing before Justice Zainaba Ngui Mboob, Gassama said he was the head of the investigators in this matter. He testified that he supervised the investigation and also interviewed Sheriff Njie, Amadou Bah and Galass Jobe.
He informed the court that Banta Keita registered a company named CIRCUIT LONG TRADING in which they use to ship the alleged drugs from Ecuador, South America to the Gambia under the name of Sheriff Njie, whose name was on the bill of loading in the Gambia. Gassama said his men from the drug squad intercepted the suspected cocaine at the sea port and conducted the arrest of the suspected person (Sheriff Njie).
Director Gassama said during the investigation the alleged seized drug was tested and the result was positive that all the one hundred and eighteen (118) bags were bags of cocaine confirmed.
He further testified that the name of Banta Keita came up and further investigation revealed that Banta Keita was also involved in money laundering.
Gassama said Banta opened a bank account at Zenith Bank with the name of the company CIRCUIT LONG TRADING. He testified that the names of Amadou Bah and Galass Jobe were used to open the account.
Intelligence Officer Gassama said the three were interrogated about the bank account and the two informed that they were not aware of any bank transactions.
Gassama said they recovered some properties of Banta Keita including landed properties and vehicles. Gassama submitted the bank document from Zenith Bank and was admitted into the records.
Senior State Counsel Lamin Jarju appeared for the State while Counsels Badou S.M. Conteh and Sheriff Marie Tambadou appeared for Sheriff Njie. Banta Keita is at large.
Read our subsequent publication for the testimonies of Amadou Bah and Galass Jobe. The matter will be coming on the 4th January 2023 for the court to embark on a locus (site) visit to see the drugs and the vehicles at the Drug Squad Office in Bijilo, West Coast Region.
