Nuha
Conteh, a member of The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) who was on Tuesday arrested
by operatives of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency The Gambia, (DLEAG) opened
fire in the air as a means to enable his escape, The Point has learnt.
He
was arrested with suspected bundles of cannabis.
Security
personnel have currently launched a manhunt for the suspect who is believed to
be on the run at the time of gathering the report. The matter is currently
under investigation.
Ousman
Saidybah, spokesperson of DLEAG confirmed the development to our reporter.
DLEAG operatives, he explained, on Tuesday 28
April 2020 alongside an officer of The Gambia Police Force (GPF) stopped a
commercial vehicle with the registration number BJL 1890 S for routine check at
the Kalagi Check Point in WCR.”
He
said: “During the process of search, they discovered a container (paint like
bucket) in the said vehicle. The officer enquired about the owner of the said
container and declared their intention to search it. A male subject who
identified himself as a soldier claimed to be the owner of the container but
refused for the container be searched.”
According
to him, with support from colleague police officers on duty, he (Conteh) was
taken together with the said suspected container to the charge office.
“Upon
arrival at the charge office, the said individual took out a pistol, fired a
shot into the air to pave a way for his escape. Later, a search was conducted
but he could not be traced.”
“The
suspected container was searched and three big bundles of suspected cannabis
were found in it. Similarly, officers found one big bundle of suspected
cannabis in his green traveling bag. The driver also revealed that the said
individual identified himself to him as a military officer when he boarded the
vehicle from Brikama heading to the province.”
In
similar but separate development, Saidybah added, operatives within the
Kanifing Municipality arrested four suspects, three Gambians and one Senegalese
on suspicion of being in possession of suspected cannabis for the purpose of
drug trafficking contrary to section 43 (4) (e) of the DCA 2003.
A
total of 17 big bundles and 94 wraps of suspected cannabis weighing 17kg 380
grams were seized. “A suspect by the name Wuyeh Drammeh, an adult was nabbed
with 6 big bundles, Mustapha Bojang a Gambian was also nabbed with 10 bundles
and one Ebrima Sanka was also arrested with one big bundle of suspected
cannabis in diverse places within the municipality.”
The
Regional Joint Task Force, Saidybah went on, also arrested one Ensa Danso with
94 wraps-up of suspected cannabis.
Meanwhile
in WCR, operatives registered a total seizure of 99 big bundles and 128 parcels
of suspected cannabis sativa weighing 90kg 840 grams.
DLEAG
PRO added: “A total of 13 suspected including a female have been charged for
being in possession of prohibited drug for the purpose of drug trafficking as
at the reporting period. Out of these 13 people, 12 are Gambians and one is
Senegalese.”
The
agency, he emphasised, will continue to renew its commitment in ensuring that
it fulfil its mandate as provided for in DCA 2003.
“We
call on the public to remain vigilant and report suspected activities to law
enforcement. The health and safety of all should be of paramount to every
genuine Gambian and non-Gambian residents in the country.”
