DLEAG Arrests Nigerian National With More Than 9,000 Ecstasy Pills, Drug-Manufacturing Equipment

By Makutu Manneh

The Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia, has arrested a 53-year-old Nigerian national after authorities said they found him with more than 9,000 ecstasy pills, suspected cannabis, and equipment believed to be intended for manufacturing illicit drugs.

The agency identified the suspect as Celestine Ikenna Godwin and said officers recovered 9,020 ecstasy pills; quantities of suspected cannabis ruderalis, commonly referred to as “skunk”; and drug-processing equipment.

DLEAG described the seizure as a significant breakthrough, saying it was the first time the agency had encountered such equipment in a drug-related case in The Gambia.

“This development is particularly significant, as the discovery of the equipment represents the first case of its kind recorded by the agency in The Gambia,” DLEAG said in a statement.

The discovery has raised concerns among authorities about the possibility that traffickers may be seeking to establish clandestine laboratories to manufacture synthetic drugs inside the country, potentially marking a shift from trafficking imported narcotics toward local production.

DLEAG said the case highlighted the evolving nature of drug trafficking in the region and the need for law-enforcement agencies to confront both the movement and potential domestic production of illicit substances.

Godwin remains in DLEAG custody as investigators work to determine whether other individuals or networks are connected to the alleged operation. The agency said its investigation was continuing and that officers were pursuing leads aimed at identifying and dismantling any broader network involved.

The agency said the combination of the drugs and processing equipment demonstrated its determination to prevent The Gambia from being used not only as a destination or transit point for illicit drugs but also as a location for their manufacture.

“This operation marks a major milestone in The Gambia’s ongoing fight against illicit drugs and sends a clear message that there is no safe haven for drug traffickers or those seeking to establish illicit drug-manufacturing activities in The Gambia,” the agency said.

DLEAG commended its officers for what it described as their vigilance and professionalism and urged members of the public to provide credible information that could help law-enforcement authorities combat drug trafficking.

The agency said public cooperation was particularly important in protecting communities and young people from the effects of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

The allegations against Godwin have not been tested in court, and DLEAG did not immediately provide information on any formal charges filed against him.