By Landing Ceesay
The High Court of The Gambia, presided over by Hon. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, has dismissed the drug case against Mark James Robinson, a British national, after he was convicted in the Brikama Magistrate Court.
Mr. Robinson faced two criminal charges under the Drug Control Act:
Count One: Aggravated Drug Trafficking, in violation of Section 43A (1) of the Drug Control (Amendment) Act, 2011.
The State alleged that on June 30, 2024, at Banjul International Airport in the West Coast Region of The Gambia, Mark James Robinson was found in possession of 27.3 kg of cocaine with intent to traffic.
Count Two: Dealing with Prohibited Drugs, contrary to Section 33 (1)(c) of the Drug Control Act, Cap 13:05, Vol. III, Revised Laws of The Gambia 2009.
The State further claimed that on the same date and location, Mr. Robinson was in possession of a prohibited drug intended for transportation to the United Kingdom.
The case was set for mention on October 28, 2024, but State Counsel I. Camara informed the court of their intention to withdraw the charges.
Counsel Camara explained, “My lord, we have been informed by the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of the Gambia (DLEAG) that the accused (Mark James Robinson) was arraigned before the Brikama Magistrate Court, where he pleaded guilty and was subsequently convicted. That is why we are applying for this case to be struck out,”
The defendant informed the court that he was in The Gambia on vacation when he found himself in trouble.
Mr. Robinson also explained that the individual who handed him the bag containing the drugs fled to Senegal after his arrest.
He expressed his belief that it was a setup, as the man had given him the bag and taken a picture of him.
“The guy ran away to Senegal, so since the drug was found in my luggage, that is why I pleaded guilty because it is mine,” Mr. Robinson told the court.
Mark James Robinson told the court that Brikama Magistrate Court convicted and fined him Eight Million Dalasis (D8,000,000.00), in default he will be sentenced to 18 years imprisonment.
“My family is currently working on putting the money together and making the payment. They are communicating with the British High Commission,” he said.
Hon. Justice Jaiteh then struck the case out of the court.