Mass arrests of drug smugglers: 48 individuals intercepted with various drug types

The Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia (DLEAG) says it has arrested 48 people in a series of coordinated operations across the country for alleged possession of prohibited drugs, including cannabis sativa, cannabis resin (hashish), skunk, kush, cocaine, crack cocaine and ecstasy.

In a statement signed by the agency’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Dawda Sanyang, the arrests were carried out between 12 and 26 January 2026 at various locations, ranging from checkpoints and nightclubs to border crossings and residential communities.

Among those arrested is 44-year-old Musa Jarra of Gunjur, who was picked up in the early hours of 13 January with 13 parcels, 54 wraps of suspected cannabis sativa and 17 wraps of suspected hashish concealed in a nylon bag. In Wellingara, 30-year-old Jalamang Bah and 24-year-old Famara Bah were separately arrested with quantities of cannabis sativa, skunk and ecstasy.

At the Barra–Ginack crossing point, DLEAG officers arrested a Senegalese national, 40-year-old Ousman Njie, with six bundles of suspected cannabis sativa hidden in a travelling bag.

Several other arrests were made at checkpoints in Bullock, Mandinaba, Kalagi and Bakindik Koto, as well as in nightlife spots including Corrugate Bar, City Pop and Kololi Tavern.

The agency also reported significant seizures of ecstasy and cocaine. In Kololi, 46-year-old Modou Lamin Jobarteh was arrested with 363 pills of ecstasy alongside quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine. Another suspect, 48-year-old Kabba Njie of Kotu, was found with 21 stones of suspected crack cocaine at Kololi Tavern.

Younger suspects were not spared, with several individuals aged between 18 and 25 arrested in different parts of the country for possession of kush, skunk, hashish and cannabis sativa.

DLEAG said some of the drugs were concealed in socks, foil paper, medical sachets, cement paper and travelling bags, indicating what it described as “deliberate efforts to evade detection”.

The operations cut across the Greater Banjul Area, West Coast Region, North Bank, Lower River and Central River regions, highlighting what DLEAG called a nationwide enforcement drive against drug trafficking and abuse.

All suspects are currently in custody while investigations continue. DLEAG reiterated its commitment to combating drug-related crimes and warned that it will sustain surveillance, patrols and intelligence-led operations to protect public health and safety.