By: Sandally Sawo
The Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia (DLEAG), the Gambia Immigration Department (GID), and the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) last week conducted a joint security operation in the West Coast Region (WCR), leading to the arrest of 51 foreign nationals.
The operation was reportedly launched on the intelligence from the DLEAG agents in WCR about the “involvement” of some foreign nationals in criminal activities and drug abuse.
The 51 foreigners were reportedly arrested around the University of The Gambia in Faraba on Wednesday.
According to DLEAG, the arrested individuals included 49 Sierra Leoneans, one Nigerian and one Liberian.
“Operatives swiftly conducted surveillance and filed an intelligence report, regarding their activities. Guided by a critical evaluation and analysis of the intelligence report, an operational plan was developed to raid the place. The raid, conducted by the joint operation team, resulted in the arrest of the said foreign nationals around the University of The Gambia (UTG) Faraba campus,” said DLEAG.
“Two of the suspects were found with varying types and quantities of suspected Kush, tramadol, and cannabis sativa. Others were found without any proper documents, regarding their residence in the country.
“Saikou Kandeh was found in possession of twenty-seven (27) wraps of suspected Kush and seven (7) tablets of tramadol while James Koroma was found in possession of three smoking joints of suspected cannabis sativa,” it added.
DLEAG said the two suspects found in possession of prohibited and controlled drugs were taken into custody by the anti-narcotics agency while 49 were taken into custody by GID’sBrikama Station for further processing and investigations, regarding their immigration status.