DLEAG Vows Continued Crackdown After Destruction of 60 Cannabis Farms in Jinack

By Makutu Manneh

The Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia, said it would intensify its campaign against illicit drug trafficking and abuse following a two-day operation in Niumi Jinack that resulted in the destruction of 60 cannabis farms across the island communities.

In a statement released after the operation, the agency said it remained committed, under the oversight of the Ministry of Interior, to enforcing laws aimed at curbing the cultivation, distribution, and use of illegal drugs.

Officials said the agency would continue implementing measures designed to strengthen enforcement and control drug-related crimes. “This will be reinforced with the implementation of effective strategies and initiatives to address drug-related crimes to improve public safety and security,” the statement said.

The operation in Jinack involved several security institutions, including the Gambia Police Force, the Gambia Armed Forces, the State Intelligence Service, the Gambia Immigration Department, the Gambia Fire and Rescue Service, and the Gambia Prison Service.

According to the agency, the destruction of the cannabis farms dealt a significant blow to the illicit trade on the island and addressed what it described as a longstanding practice of illegal cannabis cultivation in the area.

The agency cited provisions of the Drug Control Act, 2003, noting that Section 36 of the law prohibits the cultivation of plants from which prohibited drugs may be produced.

Authorities said the campaign forms part of broader security reforms aimed at strengthening coordination among law enforcement bodies. They urged residents to refrain from illegal cannabis cultivation and instead pursue lawful sources of livelihood.

The agency said it remained committed to enforcing what it described as a “robust supply suppression regime” to protect public safety and reduce the availability of illicit drugs across the country.