By Adama Makasuba
National Drug Law Enforcement Officers have detained six people with suspected drugs as they continued a clampdown on illicit drugs and its users.
“From the 19 to 25 February 2022, the agency registered total number of thirteen (13) cases involving fourteen (14) suspects clutched in diverse places across the country,” the agency said
“Total quantities of fifty-two (52) big bundles, sixty-eight (68) parcels and two hundred and eighty-four (284) wraps of suspected cannabis sativa as well as seventy (70) stones of suspected cannabis resin (Hashish) was seized during the period
“Six (6) people were apprehended in the West Coast Region with ten (10) bundles, thirty (30) parcels and one hundred and ninety-four (194) wraps of suspected cannabis sativa and two (2) stones of hashish,” it added.
“In the Kanifing Municipality, forty-two (42) big bundles, thirty-eight (38) parcels and fifty-seven (57) wraps of suspected cannabis sativa and sixty-eight (68) stones of hashish were seized from five suspects arrested within the Kanifing Municipality and the West Coast Region respectively. The Lower River Region and Central River Region registered possession three possession cases involving three suspects,” it continued.
The agency said it is committed to battle out illicit drugs in the country, adding its Public Affairs and Demand Reduction unit continue with weekly radio talk shows over N 24 radio, GRTS radio, Star radio and Alfalaq Islamic radio. We also partook in a television talk show on Star TV and conducted confidence building visits to schools to ensure that our school environments are drug free, safe and secure.
Meanwhile, The Director General (DG) of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia (DLEAG) Alhaji Bakary Gassama stated that Illicit drug trafficking and related activities including transnational organize crime is a persisting phenomenon threatening global peace, stability and socio-economic development. He made this statement at the opening session of a daylong session on drug awareness at the University of The Gambia (UTG) students’ week in Tendaba, Lower River Region.
Represented by DLEAG’s Director of Operation who also doubles as the acting Deputy Director General Alhaji Ebrima Drammeh, he indicated that the world drug problem is complex and is compounded by the strong and established link between illicit drug trafficking, terrorism, terrorist financing, money laundering, undermining democracy and economic activities, promoting corruption and fueling crime and violence.