(PHOTO: DLEAG)
By Landing Ceesay
Operatives of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of the Gambia (DLEAG) seized 734 blocks of suspected Cocaine on Wednesday.
“On Wednesday, 28th September 2022, operatives of The Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia (DLEAG) attached to the Kanifing Municipal Command, seized a total of seven hundred and thirty-four (734) blocks of a substance believed to be Cocaine. The preliminary test conducted by our forensic experts suggests that the blocks are Cocaine positive,” DLEAG said in a statement.
DLEAG credited the seizure as the result of ‘a well-coordinated high-profile intelligence-led tactical’ operation that started with an initial seizure of 1 block at Westfield Junction, followed by the seizure of 44 blocks, and a subsequent seizure of 689 blocks in a store at a private residence near Paradise View in Salagi.
DLEAG added a Gambian with five Sierra Leoneans one of whom is a lady are far arrested; and said three of the Sierra Leoneans are resident in the compound.
The statement said the Gambian is said to be in charge of the compound; the seizure of 689 blocks were seized, but not resident there.
“The Director General immediately commissioned a comprehensive and detailed investigation into the case with due compliance with rule of law and human rights standards. The Agency will work closely with all national stakeholders and international partners to consolidate this achievement and hold perpetrators to criminal accountability,” the statement added.
DLEAG described the seizure as another demonstration of their capacity, resolve and commitment to the fight against transnational drug trafficking; and that they are untethered in ensuring that The Gambia remains a hostile ground for drug traffickers.
“We therefore, invite all well-intentioned people in the Gambia to cooperate and support the Agency in this investigation and further invite residents of the Gambia to share with the Agency any information that may come their way regarding drug trafficking activities in the country. We acknowledge that the fight against drugs is a shared and collective responsibility, and no amount of law enforcement effectiveness can deliver the desired goal without community cooperation and support,” it stated.