PC: DLEAG
Gambia’s Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG) arrested a 29-year-old Gambian for being in possession of suspected prohibited substances.
The arrest happened on 30 September 2021, at Sutukoba village in the Upper River Region (URR) by the DLEAG operatives at Basse station.
“Operatives nabbed him with four (4) big bundles and six (6) plants of suspected Cannabis Sativa. Three (3) big bundles were concealed in a multi-colored bag and the other big bundle was concealed in a multi-colored poly bag. All four bundles were discovered in a store in the compound. The six plants of suspected Cannabis Sativa were on the other hand cultivated in a bathroom in his backyard,” the agency said in a statement on Friday.
The statement added that the suspect is charged with being in possession of a prohibited drug for the purpose of drug trafficking contrary to section 43(4)(e) of the Drug Control Act (DCA) 2003, a conduct which also contravenes the provisions of section 36 (1) of the DCA 2003.
The agency enlightened the masses that it is an offence and illegal for anyone to grow any plant from which a prohibited or controlled drug can be obtained except in compliance with section 36 (2) of the DCA 2003.
“Section 36 (1) of the DCA 2003 prohibits a person from cultivating any plant from which a controlled drug or prohibited drug can be obtained except in compliance with 36 (2) of the Act. Section 36 (2) on the other hand permits the Minister of Interior on the advice of the Agency to specifically authorize any educational or research institute or any establishment or public laboratory engaged in research work to cultivate for scientific, experimental, or didactic purposes plants from which controlled drugs may be obtained. Section 36 (3) further states that the specific authorization referred to in subsection (2) shall state which plant may be cultivated and their quantities, as well as other conditions and restrictions the Minister on the advice of the Agency, may deem necessary,” it said.
Similarly, a 19-year-old Gambian was arrested onboard a commercial vehicle heading to somewhere within The Gambia with four (4) big bundles of suspected Cannabis Sativa.
The bundles of suspected substances were concealed in a multi-colored traveling bag, according to the DLEAG.
This is the second time, in less than a week, that the DLEAG operatives arrested persons suspected of cultivating suspected Cannabis Sativa.
The last one took place on 25th September in Brusubi when a Senegalese and a British got arrested for similar offences