By Adama Makasuba
Bakary Badjie, 47 and a resident of Tamba Kunda village has been detained by operatives of Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Sibanor.
According to a released paper from the Drug Law Enforcement Agency which read: “Bakary Badjie 47 years old Gambian National and a resident of Tamba Kunda village was taken into custody by DLEAG’s Sibanor field office for possession of suspected prohibited drugs on the 22 April 2022, around 21:20 hours GMT onwards at the outskirts of Sitanunku in the West Coast Region.”
The suspect, the agency wrote, was arrested with thirty (30) big bundles of suspected cannabis sativa and a motorcycle that he used as a means of conveying the said suspected prohibited drugs.
“In the Upper River Region, DLEAG’s Basse field office clutched one Samba Bah with three hundred and fifty-four (354) wraps and twelve (12) parcels of suspected cannabis sativa on the 22 April 2022, around 19:05 hours GMT onwards at Basse Angalfuta,” the agency added.
“One hundred and seventy-five (175) wraps were concealed in a red and yellow purse and another one hundred and seventy-nine (179) wraps concealed in a multi colour poly bag. The twelve parcels were wrapped with white papers and concealed in a white nylon bag.
“The suspect is dubbed to be one of the major dealers and distributor in the region. He has been under the raider of the operatives for a while and their effort finally paid dividend when they nabbed him and took him into custody. He is presently in custody while the officers’ further probe into his matter,” it continued.
However, in different occasion, the Kanifing Municipal Scout Association on Saturday, 23 April 2022, organized an iftar and a drug awareness sensitization program for youth and student membership of the Association at SerreKunda West Park – Buffer Zone, Tallinding.
DLEAG as a long-standing partner of the association participated in the program and presented on the drug abuse situation in The Gambia as well as the effects of drugs on youth, children and society.
Speaking at the program, Lamin K Jobarteh of the Public Affairs and Drug Demand Reduction Unit of the Agency commended the Regional Scout Association for organizing such an important program and inviting experts to deliberate and share knowledge on the impact of drugs on youth, children and society. He dilated on the drug abuse situation in The Gambia, classification, legal as well as the health and social implications of drug abuse, illicit drug trafficking and related activities.
Further to that, he called on youths to shun illicit drug trafficking and abuse and focus on their education and things that will add value to their lives and that of those around them.
Another speaker at the occasion was Oustaz Yerro Bah. He dwelled on the religious aspects and implications of drugs abuse and illicit drug trafficking, while advised the students and youth to be good ambassadors of their schools and communities.
