By Nelson Manneh
The spokesperson of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency of the Gambia (DLEAG) Ousman Saidybah on Thursday, 5 October 2023 informed this medium that a Sierra Leonean national and eight Gambians were arrested and put in custody on drugs-related charges.
According to Saidybah, 22-year-old Muhammed Konteh, a Sierra Leonean national residing in Brusibi was arrested by agents of Brikama DLEAG station on the 30th of September 2023, with five plastic bags containing suspected ‘kush’ which he concealed in transparent nylon bags.
“29-year-old Kaddy Sonko, who resides in Janak village, was arrested by agents of Sibanor DLEAG unit on the 2nd of October 2023 with fifteen bundles and some quantities of suspected cannabis sativa, which she concealed in cement placed in a multi-colored bag inside a blue barrel and a 20 litre container,” PRO Saidybah said.
Saidybah said another 22-year-old Bakary Saho, who resides in Lamin near the NTC area, was arrested by agents of the New Yundum DLEAG unit on the 30th of September 2023, with twenty pieces of suspected cannabis resin (harshes) concealed in foil paper and placed in a white transparent nylon bag. He added that 45-year-old MalickSanneh of Foni Bintang Karanai village was also arrested by agents of Sibanor DLEAG station on the 28th of September 2023, with one bundle and some quantities of suspected cannabis sativa which was concealed in cement paper and put in a yellow nylon bag and placed inside a multi-coloured nylon bag.
“40-year-old Ousman Colley, a resident of Arrangallen village in Foni was arrested by agents of Sibanor DLEAG unit on the 28th of September 2023, with four hundred and ninety wraps of suspected cannabis sativa which he concealed in cement paper and placed them inside a multi-coloured bag,” he said.
He said another 23-year-old Assan Conteh of Kerr Serign, was also arrested by narcotic officers of Brusubi DLEAG station on the 30th of September 2023, with forty-six wraps of suspected ‘kush’ which he concealed in white paper and placed inside medical sachet. He reported that 30-year-old Ebrima Cham, a resident of Sukuta was also arrested by agents of Brusubi DLEAG unit on the 30th of September 2023 with five pills of ‘ecstasy’ which he concealed in a medical sachet; that 28-year-old Lamin Demba, a resident of Sukuta was also arrested on the 30th of September 2023, with suspected cannabis sativa, thirty-five wraps of suspected ‘kush’, and a tablet of ‘ecstasy’ which were concealed in a blue nylon bag and a transparent nylon bag respectively. He said 19-year-old Cherno Manneh and 20-year-old Yusupha Koroma, both Sierra Leonean nationals, were also arrested by agents of Brikama DLEAG station on the 30th of September 2023, with nineteen wraps of suspected kush concealed in white paper and placed inside a transparent nylon bag. He said all the suspects are currently in custody while further investigations continue into their cases.
Meanwhile, seven others are in Police custody on drug-related charges, after being nabbed by DLEAG wgents in diverse places across the country.
According to Ousman Saidybah the Public Relations Officer of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of the Gambia, seven more were arrested during the weekend and put in custody, for allegedly possessing illicit drugs.
He said one 21-year-old Saihou Njie and 26-year-old Bub Suwareh who are all residents of London Corner in SerreKunda, were arrested by wgents of Banjul DLEAG station on the 25th September 2023, with six bundles and some quantities of suspected cannabis sativa which they concealed in white bags and placed in the boot of a Nissan vehicle with registration number BJL 6479 X.
“27-year-old Edward Mendy who resides in Farafenni Maurtani, was arrested by agents of Farafenni DLEAG station on the 27th of September 2023, with fifty-one wraps of suspected ‘kush’ which was concealed in white paper and placed inside a plastic bag,” PRO Saidybah reported.
He revealed that 43-year-old Ebrima Jatta who resides in Madina Salam, was also arrested by agents of Sanyang DLEAG station on the 26th of September 2023, with forty-six wraps of suspected cannabis sativa which he concealed in a camouflage bag.
Saidybah said another 30-year-old Sheriff Saidy and 30-year-old Kasim Bojang who are all residents of Gunjur, were arrested on the 26th of September 2023, with plants of cannabis sativa at their residence.
“32-year-old Sulayman Saho who resides in ManjaiKunda was also arrested by agents of Bakau DLEAG station on the 23rd of September 2023, with eighteen wraps of suspected cannabis sativa which he concealed in white papers,” he said, adding that 30-year-old James Kargbo, who is a Sierra Leonean national residing in Brusubi, was also arrested on the 24th of September 2023 with forty-three wraps of suspected ‘kush’ which was concealed in white medical sachets. He said all the suspects are currently in custody while further investigations continue into their cases.
