The suspects are under the custody of the narcotics agency as investigation into the matter continues.
Ousman Saidybah, the spokesperson of DLEAG, who was contacted for comments, confirmed the development, saying: “Our field agents stationed within the Tourism Development Area alongside operatives of the Special Operation Squad conducted a sting operation that resulted in the seizure of 52 blocks of suspected cocaine seized from one Bocar Hamet Sall at a warehouse located around Jimpex. The said incident happened on Tuesday 29 September 2023.”
The suspect, who has been under the radar of the Agency, Saidybah said, was clutched while he was offloading two cartoons containing the said 52 blocks of suspected cocaine. “Our operatives also seized two detachable Benz trucks and a DODGE vehicle with registration number BJL 5985 X,” he added.
Saidybah explained further: “Prior to the seizure of these 52 blocks of cocaine, DLEAG operatives stationed in the West Coast Region also seized 104 blocks of cocaine from two Bissau Guinean nationals on the 14 of July 2023.
“Fifty-year-old Adulai Seidi, who was the principal suspect in that matter, was with 63 blocks of cocaine found in his car at Brusubi Police Checkpoint. The vehicle is a Toyota RAV 4 with registration number KM 5352 E.
“Further search of his residence at Paradise Estate in Old Yundum resulted in the seizure of another 35 blocks of cocaine and a cash amount of four thousand (4,000) Euros as well as D2,950.00 suspected to be illicit proceeds of the trafficking and dealing in prohibited drugs.
“Again Ndey Jatta, 37, was clutched at a residence in Sanchaba Sulay Jobe with six blocks of cocaine.
“They were both arraigned in court and were found guilty of the charges of dealing and trafficking in drugs. The court in sentencing them, fined them to pay D12,000,000.00 while the cash amount found with Seidi and his vehicle were forfeited to the State.
“In a similar but separate development, DLEAG operatives stationed at Amdalai Border Post nabbed a Senegalese with 20 pills of ecstasy, a pistol and four live rounds on Monday 9 October 2023.
“A female Bissau Guinean national was apprehended by DLEAG’s North Bank Regional Command with 14 big bundles of suspected cannabis sativa. The said incident happened on the 12 October 2023 around 07:30 hours GMT Onwards.
“Management uses this opportunity to reiterate its commitment of ensuring that The Gambia remains a hostile territory to illicit drug traffickers and their patrons. Therefore, we call on all meaningful Gambians and residents of this country to complement Government’s efforts and join the bandwagon in the crusade on drugs.
“We call on the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious drug-related and criminal activities to law enforcement authorities because we cannot be everywhere at every time. The Gambia belongs to us all. Therefore, its safety, security and development should be our collective responsibility.”
