Court Reduces Sentence for Man Caught with Cannabis After Guilty Plea

By: Isatou Sarr

Ebrima Sarr, a resident of Talinding, was sentenced by Magistrate Thomas of  Banjul Magistrates’ Court on a single count –  possession of a prohibited drug, contrary to Section 35(2)(A) of the Drug Control Act, 2014, as amended.

The court heard that on April 18, 2024, in Banjul, Sarr was found in possession of 45 wraps of cannabis sativa (Kush), weighing 7.874 grams, a prohibited substance. The offence, prosecutors said, violated the country’s drug control laws.

Sarr pleaded guilty to the charge. During the proceedings, the prosecution outlined the circumstances of his arrest and presented all exhibits as evidence. Chief Inspector M. Demba appeared for the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEA), while Sarr was unrepresented by legal counsel.

On October 22, 2025, during sentencing, Magistrate Thomas allowed the accused to make a plea for mitigation. Sarr explained that he had recently been involved in an accident, which left him sleepless, and said he used the substance to help him sleep. He insisted that he was not a drug dealer and promised the court that he would not repeat the offence.

Taking into account that Sarr had not wasted the court’s time, the magistrate applied a 33% deduction to the sentence. Consequently, Sarr was ordered to pay a fine of D25,000.00. In default of payment, he is to serve 1 year and 2 months in prison.

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 By: Isatou Sarr Ebrima Sarr, a resident of Talinding, was sentenced by Magistrate Thomas of  Banjul Magistrates’ Court on a…
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