Nineteen (19) of them were arrested at Lava night club, ten (10) at Sport bar in Kololi and another nine (9) at Envy night club.
The suspects were arrested with various quantities of ecstasy pills, skunk cannabis, hashish, and cannabis sativa.
In the same vein, eight of the suspects including five (5) Gambians, two (2) Nigerian and a Moroccan national were taken into custody for obstructing operatives in the due execution of their duty at Envy night club.
The spokesperson of the agency, Ousman Saidybah, who was contacted for comments confirmed the development, saying: "Management uses this opportunity to send stern warning to those responsible for the management of premises particularly restaurants, bars, and night clubs to ensure that they do not knowingly permit or entertain drug related activities in their premises as this contravenes section 40 of the Drug Control Act 2003."
"Otherwise, if anyone is found engaging in drug related activities in any premise, it shall be presumed as provided for in the Act that the person concerned in the management of the premise permitted it unless he or she proves the contrary."
"Therefore, we encourage those concerned with the management of premises to ensure that they take adequate measures to prevent drug related activities within their premises.”
“While this operation targeted restaurant, bars, or night club owners, the provision of the Act is not limited to them. Therefore, all those concerned in the management of a property or properties should equally take adequate measures aimed at preventing drug related activities or not knowingly permitting same."
"All the suspects arrested in the weekend operation are in custody while further investigations continue."
In a similar but separate development, personnel of The Gambia Transport Service Company (GTSC) intercepted three hundred and thirteen (313) pills and one (1) stone of ecstasy from a passenger who is currently at large.
"The said passenger attempted to smuggle the said drugs that were discovered during routine check of luggage. He immediately fled the seen upon realising that the staff of GTSC discovered his illicit products. The matter has been handed over to DLEAG for further investigations."
"We commend the personnel of GTSC for their vigilance and good work. It is rather unfortunate that people will engage in activities that could bring disrepute to the country especially when they engage in transnational illicit drug trafficking across our borders."
"Therefore, we call on well meaning passengers to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities and passengers to law enforcement officers or GTSC operators. Similarly, we will collaborate with GTSC to ensure that stringent search methods and procedures are put in place to deter and detect those engaged in illicit drug trafficking and abuse using their buses. However, we cannot do it all alone, we rely on the public particularly passengers to remain alert and report suspicious activities."
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