By: Arret Jatta
The Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia (DLEAG) said on Monday that the agency arrested three individuals for cultivating cannabis sativa in Kanilai village.
The agency reported that it discovered cannabis farms in the West Coast Region.
“The DLEAG conducted a sting operation that resulted in the apprehension of three (3) individuals and the discovery of nine (9) cannabis plantation farms between Kunjenjeh and Kanilai village in the West Coast Region,” stated a press release from the anti-narcotics agency.
The agency said it’s operatives started operations on the eve of 5 October 2024, resulting in the initial discovery of eight farms by DLEAG operatives. It added that one farm was subsequently discovered by a backup support team from the Police Intervention Unit (PIU).
The suspects have been remanded in custody as investigations continue.
“In a similar but separate development, operatives conducted a similar sting operation that resulted in the arrest of one Alfred John Francis, an American national and a resident of Siffoe. Operatives on the 30th of September 2024 around 08:56 hours GMT onwards seized nine (9) plantations, two (2) parcels and two (2) wraps of suspected cannabis sativa from his residence at Sifoe village in the West Coast Region,” DLEAG said in its press release.
The release added that the suspect was also taken into custody while further investigations into his matter continue.
DLEAG informed the public that any form of cannabis plantation in the country is illegal.
“Taking into consideration recent trends in the seizure of cannabis farms and plantations from individuals at diverse locations across the country, we want to make it clear that it is illegal for any individual to plant any form of plantation from which a prohibited or controlled drugs can be obtained as such action violates section 36 of the Drug Control Act 2003. Equally section 31 (1) (a) prohibits operators and by extension individuals from cultivating cannabis plant, coco bush, opium puppy or any other form of prohibited or controlled drug that is capable of being cultivated while sub (1) (b) prohibits the manufacturing, acquiring or supplying prohibited or controlled drugs,” the agency highlighted.
It further stated that any person found wanting for this violation will be punished by law.
“Any person found wanting in violation of the aforementioned provisions of the DCA 2003 commits an offence and is liable of conviction to a fine of not less than three hundred thousand dalasi (D300,000.00) for an individual and not less than one million dalasi (D1,000,000.00) for a corporate body.
“In essence, the law prohibits the cultivation of plants from which prohibited or controlled drugs can be obtained as well as the production and distribution of all forms of prohibited and controlled drugs except where otherwise stated in the Act. Therefore, we urge all to desist because anyone found wanting will be dealt with accordingly without any fear, favour, affection or goodwill,” said DLEAG.
