Ousman Saidyba, public relations officer at DLEAG
By Buba Gagigo
In a coordinated effort involving the Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia (DLEAG), The Gambia Immigration Department (GID), and support from the PIU base in Brikama, a joint operation was carried out resulting in the apprehension of fifty-one (51) foreign individuals in Faraba, West Coast Region. They stand accused of engaging in what authorities have termed as rampant public drug misuse and other suspicious activities of a criminal nature.
“Forty-nine (49) of the foreign nationals arrested are SierraLeoneans, one (1) Nigerian and one (1) Liberian national. Their arrest sequels an intelligence report filed by DLEAG field agents posted in the WCR after receiving tip off information about the activities of some foreign nationals who were said to be engaged in rampant open drug abuse and other suspicious criminal related activities. Operatives swiftly conducted a 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,” DLEAG said.
DLEAG reported that two (2) of the suspects were discovered in possession of different types and amounts of suspected Kush, tramadol, and cannabis sativa, while others lacked proper documentation regarding their residency status 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 (3) smoking joints of suspected cannabis sativa.
“The two (2) suspects found in possession of prohibited and controlled drugs were taken into custody by DLEAG while the remaining forty-nine (49) suspects were taken into custody by GID’s Brikama Station for further processing and investigations regarding their documentation and residential status in the country,” DLEAG said.