The raids, conducted between 28 February and 1 March 2026, marked one of the most significant disruptions of illicit cannabis cultivation in recent years. The operation was jointly executed with the Gambia Police Force, the Armed Forces, State Intelligence Service, Immigration Department, Fire and Rescue Service, and Prison Service.
Officials described the move as a decisive strike against a long-standing tradition of illegal cannabis farming on the island, which they say flagrantly violates Section 36 of the Drug Control Act, 2003. The law explicitly prohibits the cultivation of plants from which prohibited drugs can be obtained.
DLEAG emphasised that the crackdown is part of a broader supply suppression strategy aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks and reducing abuse. The agency urged citizens to seek alternative livelihoods rather than resorting to cannabis cultivation, warning that enforcement will remain uncompromising.
Under the oversight of the Ministry of Interior, DLEAG pledged to continue implementing robust anti-drug measures as part of ongoing Security Sector Reform. The agency highlighted its commitment to collaboration across law enforcement bodies to strengthen public safety and security.
The destruction of the cannabis farms, officials said, sends a clear message: The Gambia is intensifying its war on drugs and will not tolerate illegal cultivation or trafficking.
