In a significant escalation of its fight against illicit drugs, the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia (DLEAG) announced the arrest of 26 individuals, including a Senegalese national caught with 72 large bundles of suspected cannabis, in nationwide operations over the past week.
The crackdown, spearheaded under the Director of Operations, targeted drug trafficking and possession across three regions.
According to the report, all those apprehended are male, comprising 23 Gambians and 3 Senegalese.
A 45-year-old Senegalese, Abdoulie Bojang, was arrested near Bwiam (West Coast) on May 30 with 72 bundles of suspected cannabis sativa concealed in bags on an unregistered motorcycle, the largest single seizure reported.
Ousman Mendy, a 54-year-old Gambian, was nabbed in Jabang Village (West Coast) on May 30 with 25 bundles and 55 parcels of suspected cannabis sativa.
Lamin Sarjo, 46 (a Gambian), was arrested at a Senegambia nightclub on May 25 with suspected cocaine, according to a DLEAG official.
Also, several arrests took place in the Kanifing Municipality, which involved significant quantities of suspected “kush” (a potent synthetic cannabinoid) and cannabis ruderalis (skunk), particularly targeting younger demographics.
Additionally, reports also outlined that West Coast Region operations, which led to the arrest of 17 suspects, yielded large cannabis hauls. These included Bojang’s 72 bundles, Mendy’s 80 units, Touray’s resin, Sarjo’s cocaine and numerous smaller busts across locations such as Brikama, Giboro, Sibanor, and Tanji.
According to DLEAG officials, arrests often involved cannabis concealed in cement paper, bags, or vehicles.
“In Kanifing Municipality (7 Arrests) focused on synthetic drugs (‘kush’) and hashish, with arrests in Serrekunda, Kololi, Tallinding, Manjai Kunda, and Latrikunda German. Seizures involved wraps concealed in papers or medical plastic bags,” a DLEAG report stated.
Similarly, the report highlighted that in North Bank Region, 2 arrests were made involving Shering Manneh in Kerewan with 70 wraps of suspected cannabis, and Ebrima Dampha in Noo-Kunda village with multiple bundles, parcels, and wraps of suspected cannabis.
The DLEAG authorities announced that all 26 suspects are currently in custody as DLEAG continues its investigations. The agency reiterated its commitment to intensifying operations to combat drug abuse and trafficking within The Gambia.
