Man Arrested at Mile 2 Central Prison for Allegedly Attempting to Smuggle Drugs

By Makutu Manneh

The Gambia Prison Service has arrested a man accused of attempting to smuggle prohibited drugs into Mile 2 Central Prison, authorities said on Friday.

In a statement issued on February 27, 2026, prison officials identified the suspect as Amadou Tijan Sowe, a resident of Abuko. Mr. Sowe was taken into custody after officers conducting routine security screening discovered approximately 22 wraps of a substance suspected to be “coos,” a locally known illicit drug, concealed inside packets of noodles he had brought to the facility.

According to the statement, Mr. Sowe had visited the prison to deliver provisions to a remand inmate when the contraband was detected during standard inspection procedures.

“Mr. Sowe was immediately taken into custody and subsequently handed over to the Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia (DLEAG), for further investigation,” the statement said.

Prison authorities said Mr. Sowe is expected to be charged in accordance with the country’s drug control laws. The service added that it continues to work closely with the Drug Law Enforcement Agency to combat drug trafficking and maintain security and order within correctional facilities nationwide.

Officials also issued a warning to the public, describing attempts to smuggle prohibited items into prisons as serious offenses that would be met with “the full force of the law.”

The Prison Service urged members of the public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in efforts to curb illegal drug trafficking and related criminal activities.