During his examination-in-chief, state counsel Lamin Jarju asked the witness if he could recognise the accused persons. The witness said he recognised them during a joint investigation conducted by drug law enforcement officers at the headquarters of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency The Gambia (DLEAG) sometime in August 2023.
The witness, Sanneh, said he was part of the joint investigation team assigned to probe the activities of the accused. He added that Paulo Djabi was arrested, and a search was conducted regarding his illegal dealings in his apartment at Fajara Waterfront.
He revealed that during the search, some prohibited items, including strings and needles, as well as money in various currencies, such as dollars, euros, and dalasis, were found.
Sanneh testified that Djabi and his wife the second accused were arrested, and drugs such as MDMA, commonly called ecstasy, were recovered and subjected to sample extraction for analysis. The witness said he was present during this process. “After the examination, a certificate was issued with the results,” he added.
During the course of the investigation, Mr Sanneh stated, they recovered vehicles, including Benz and Ford models, motorcycles, and a Jet Ski, which he said belonged to the first accused, Paulo Djabi.
The seized vehicles were parked at Kairaba Police Station and at CTI in Bijilo, he said, adding that one vehicle was recovered from Paulo himself at the time of his arrest, and others were recovered at Fajara Waterfront, along with the motorcycles and the Jet Ski, which was also recovered from an Indian friend of Paulo.
Sanneh said a search was conducted at Baraka Estate, at the house of Muhammed Neto Djabi (the third accused), where a quantity of MDMA was recovered. This was subjected to an analytical test, and a certificate was issued, followed by the results.
The witness informed the court that plastic bags containing strings and needles, believed to be used for inhaling and injection, were recovered from Paulo Djabi’s apartment.
Asked about other recoveries made by the investigative team, the witness revealed that landed properties at various locations, such as Fajara Waterfront and Bijilo, were recovered.
He further disclosed that the team of investigators included Babucarr Bobb, Basiru Mboom, ASP Dibba, and other members whose names he could not recall.
He also confirmed that the first and second accused were husband and wife and were arrested together at Envy nightclub. Upon arresting them, the team of investigators escorted them to their house at Fajara Waterfront.
Upon arrival at the accused persons’ house, the witness said a search was conducted, and an amount of 60,000 euros, along with other currencies, was recovered, including strings, needles, MDMA (commonly called ecstasy), and bottles of amphetamine.
Regarding the condition of the vehicles at the time of their seizure, Mr Sanneh said some were operational while others were not. He pointed out that 15 vehicles, 2 motorcycles, and 1 Jet Ski were seized.
Questioned whether he would like the vehicles, motorbikes and Jet Ski to be part of the evidence, he said he would. Asked if the vehicles would be brought to court, he said couldn’t.
Counsel Lamin Jarju requested a court visit to view the vehicles, motorcycles, and Jet Ski. The application was granted by the presiding judge, Justice Jaiteh.
The case was adjourned till October 22, 2024, for a visit to Kairaba Police Station and the CTI in Bijilo.
