Former NDEA officer, others arrested

One Samba Jawo a former officer of the National Drug Enforcement Agency, NDEA, was last Thursday arrested at the agency's headquarters in Banjul, according to NDEA PRO Chief Inspector Abdoulie Ceesay.

PRO Ceesay, who spoke in an interview with this reporter, said prior to Jawo's arrest, the NDEA received information that he was planning to come to the NDEA head office to do evil things with the alleged intent to destroy the high command of the agency.

He said some NDEA officers were tasked to monitor all his movements and activities, whenever Jawo comes there.

"Upon his arrival on the very day, he first visited the Deputy Director's office, who was not in at the time. He wanted to enter the office in his absence, but the Secretary denied him access. He (Jawo) then decided to be seated at the waiting room with the secretary. There, he took out some black powder and poured it on the floor of the office, and then left that office," Ceesay narrated.

According to PRO Ceesay, Jawo then entered the office of the Commissioner of Administration who was also not there at the time, and poured the same powder on the floor.

"He then proceeded to the central station, the charge office downstairs, where he was finally arrested and detained," he said.

PRO Ceesay further narrated that upon Mr. Jawo's arrest, a thorough search was conducted on him, and some jujus and more black magic powder was recovered.

At this moment, according to Ceesay, the matter is under investigation, and when completed appropriate charges will be made against him.

Commenting also on the recent arrest of a narcotics officer and a volunteer, PRO Ceesay said on 26 July 2010, information reached the NDEA office that one Ebrima Tamba, a narcotics officer, and Bakary Jasseh, a volunteer, planted some cannabis seeds in the shop of one Ebrima Bah, a shopkeeper and resident of Sinchu Alhagie.

He said the two demanded to search the shop after which they recovered the seeds from the shop and demanded the sum of D2, 500 from the shopowner. "They seized some Africell and Gamcel scratch cards he was selling, together with his moblie phone," Ceesay added.

When the information reached the NDEA, Tamba was immediately arrested,and Jasseh, who was at large, was later arrested. He said the matter was still under investigation.

PRO Ceesay said the NDEA is condemning the actions of this narcotic officer.

As much as the NDEA is fighting against all forms of illicit drugs in the country, it does not call for incriminating innocent people, more particularly taking monies from them, he added.

PRO Ceesay urged the general public to continue cooperating with the NDEA to fight against illicit drugs in the country, further calling on them to report any narcotics officer who is engaged in such illegal practices, for necessary action to be taken.