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NDEA intensifies crackdown on drug traffickers

May 26, 2011, 2:41 PM | Article By: Momodou Faal

The crackdown on illicit drugs in the country by officers of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA) is showing no sign of abating, as anti-narcotics officers recently arrested more people suspected of trafficking.

The latest arrests included yet another military officer, Gambians and a Senegalese national, who were arrested in Serrekunda, Kololi, at the ferry terminal and Kembujeh village in the West Coast Region.

Speaking to journalists Tuesday at the NDEA office in Banjul, ASP Abdoulie Ceesay, public relations officer of the NDEA, said while NDEA officers and Police Intervention Unit officers were on duty on 12th May at the Sibanor Police Station checkpoint, a Toyota pick-up with registration number 6325F failed to stopped, when it reached the checkpoint.

“When this happened, the information was immediately passed to the PIU officers at Faraba Sutu checkpoint with a description of the vehicle. However, on arrival, the same vehicle failed to stop again at the Faraba Sutu checkpoint,” he said adding that the officers then fired two warning shots, but the vehicle continued.

According to PRO Ceesay, the driver of the vehicle later diverted through the backway and headed to Kembujeh village, where he passed through Jah Oil Company to fill his tank.

“Upon seeing the officers, the driver left the vehicle and fled,” he said.

The NDEA PRO revealed that nine bags and 86 bundles of suspected cannabis were found at the said vehicle. He told journalists that investigations were mounted and four people, namely Musa Samura, the owner of the vehicle, Modou Camara, a soldier attached to Yundum Barracks, Mamat Secka (alias Pro) and Ebrima Jallow alias Blondy were arrested.

He further revealed that the driver, one Mamadi Jarjue, Mustapha Secka (alias Tapha Tailor” and Omar (alias Yigo) are still at large.

Meanwhile, in a related development, PRO Ceesay also told journalists that one Muhammed Lamin Barrow alias Barrows was arrested on  13th May 2011 at around 22.30 hours by the Serekunda Police Station night patrol team with one bag, bundles and 5 parcels of suspected cannabis  weighing 1kg, 160grs and was later handed over to the NDEA.

He also revealed that one Yankuba Joof, a Senegalese national, was arrested by the NDEA officers at the ferry terminal with suspected cannabis, and is presently helping the officers with their investigation.

Ceesay further told journalists that one Sheikh Omar Jammeh was on 18th May 2011 arrested at Kololi by officers of the National Intelligence Agency with 32 parcels of suspected cannabis and some quantity weighing one kilogram 240grs. This, he said, was done acting on a tip-off, which led to the arrest. He said the suspect was handed over to the NDEA for further investigation.