By Adama Makasuba
Two suspected drug smugglers have fled after soldiers chased their local canoe suspected of transporting an illegal item shooting her bearing coming from the east bank of the Halahin Bolong.
The solders said the arrested canoe has been handed over to the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia (DLEA).
“On the fateful day of 11 January at about 16 00 hours in the afternoon, personnel of the Gambia Navy posted at the mentioned naval outpost chased a local canoe suspected of transporting an illegal item shooting her bearing coming from the east bank of the Halahin Bolong. Immediately a team of navy ratings led by a Chief Petty Officer were in pursuit in order to board and conduct search and if found culpable, arrest and detain for processing,” The Gambia Armed Forces said in a statement.
“The team approached the canoe which was carrying two men on-board suspected to be smugglers. The suspects then plunged into the water (river) and flee in the mangroves.
“The boat and the contents therein were taken to the naval base where the following items were confirmed to be aboard: three bags of cannabis sativa, one 15 HP outboard engine and 15 litter of fuel (petrol) in a 30-litre jerry can,” the soldiers added.
“The arrested boat and the items found therein are kept at the Kartong outpost and the formal processing has been triggered for the handing over of these items to the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia (DLEA). The State security agency dealing with drug related offences for their necessary administrative actions,” it concluded.