DLEAG clampdown on notorious drug hotspots in Central River Region

By Adama Makasuba

Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia (DLEAG) has launched a clampdown on notorious drug hotspots in Central River Region (CRR) and arrested three men with suspected cannabis.

The agency said the operation aimed at dismantling notorious hotspot areas known for the abuse of illicit drugs and as well apprehending low level dealers engaged in the dealing of prohibited and controlled drugs in these areas.

According to the agency, its officers raided several joints and notorious hotspots for the dealing and open abuse of prohibited and controlled drugs.

“DLEAG operatives stationed in the Central River Region conducted a stringent operation that resulted in the apprehension of three suspects in Kudang and Jarreng. The raid is part of an ongoing operation aimed at dismantling areas (known to be) notorious for the open abuse of illicit drugs as well as apprehending low level dealers engaged in the dealing of prohibited and controlled drugs in these areas,” Drug Law Enforcement Agency said in a statement.

It added that: “33 years old Edrissa Jagne and 41 years old Lamin Suso were apprehended on the 21st March 2022 around 21:30 hours GMT onwards at Jareng village with six (6) wraps and twelve (12) wraps of suspected cannabis sativa respectively.  35 years old Juldeh Touray was also arrested on the same day around 21:00 hours GMT onwards with three (3) parcels of suspected cannabis sativa.

“The team equally raided several joints and notorious hotspots for the dealing and open abuse of prohibited and controlled drugs. The mission continues over the week and the public will be updated as events unfold. All three suspects are in custody as investigations continue.”

“18 years old Alagie Gassama of Foni Bintang was apprehended on the 21st March 2022 around 05:10 AM onwards at Amdalai checkpoint with four (4) big bundles of suspected cannabis sativa.  He was driving a fourteen-seater commercial vehicle registered number WCR 2070 B heading towards Brikama from Foni. The said suspected prohibited drugs were concealed in the booth of the vehicle. 24 years old Bubacarr Jah of Ebo Town was also arrested at Amdalai checkpoint on the same day around 06:15 AM onwards with two (2) big bundles of suspected cannabis sativa. He was onboard a Gele – Gele vehicle BJL 5212 L heading to Brikama from Foni.  DLEAG’s Mandinaba field office recovered twenty-two (22) big bundles of suspected cannabis sativa at Sotokoi village on the 21st March 2022 around 05:40am onwards.

“The said suspected cannabis sativa were wrapped in cement papers and concealed in three bags. One (1) white bag contained nine (9) big bundles, a pink bag contained seven (7) big bundles and a red and white bag contained six (6) big bundles. The suspect escaped from the scene of the incident and is currently at large,” stated in the statement.