Ousman Saidyba, The Public Relations Officer Of The Drug Law Enforcement Agency
By Ramatoulie Jawo
In a recent press release, the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG) announced the arrest of twenty Nigerian nationals suspected of involvement in online scams, documentation fraud, and other criminal activities.
The statement highlighted that as part of its intensified efforts to combat drug abuse, illicit drug trafficking, and related transnational organized crime, DLEAG operatives, along with personnel from the Gambia Immigration Department (GID), conducted a sting operation resulting in the arrests.
“As the Agency intensified supply suppression related interdiction regimes aimed at countering drug abuse, illicit drug trafficking and related transnational organised crime, operatives of DLEAG alongside personnel of The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) conducted a sting operation that led to the arrest of twenty (20) Nigerian Nationals suspected to be engaged in online scanning, documentation fraud and other forms of criminal related activities,” they said.
According to the release, fifteen suspects were apprehended at Wullingkama with twenty-three laptops and eighteen mobile phones, while the remaining five were arrested at Coastal Road with two laptops and ten mobile phones. Both operations took place simultaneously on Thursday, June 27, 2024.
DLEAG also reported the discovery of a red plastic container holding quantities of suspected skunk cannabis.
“The suspects were taken into custody and charged with joint possession of a prohibited drug. The matter concerning suspected online scamming and documentation fraud will be forwarded to The Gambia Police Force and GID for further investigations and necessary actions that will be informed by the outcome of their investigations,”
The agency noted that this is not the first instance of foreign nationals being implicated in criminal activities during drug-related operations.
“DLEAG operatives alongside GID officers with back up support from the PIU arrested forty-nine (49) Sierra Leonean, one (1) Nigerian, and one (1) Nigerian National suspected to be engaged in criminal-related activities at Faraba in the West Coast Region. Prior to this incident, DLEAG operatives had some time in March 2022 nabbed thirteen (13) Nigerian nationals who were equally suspected to be engaged in online scamming with eighteen (18) laptops, nineteen (19) mobile phones, one (1) router, and thirteen (13) passports,” the statement indicated.
The release states that the incident occurred in Old Yundum and that the suspects in both cases have been handed over to the police for further investigation and appropriate action.
They emphasized the importance of not only intensifying efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking and abuse, but also staying vigilant in addressing other crimes and fraudulent activities. These crimes can cause severe physical and emotional trauma to victims, disrupt economic activities, result in financial losses, and undermine the peace, safety, and stability of the nation.
The Drug Law Enforcement Agency urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious drug or criminal activities to law enforcement authorities. They highlighted that only through active participation and collaboration can communities be kept safe, secure, and free from drugs.