DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THE GAMBIA CONDUCTS ANNUAL DRUG DESRTUCTION EXERCISE
The Drug Law enforcement Agency the Gambia (DLEAG) on Thursday 20th April 2017 conducted a public drug destruction exercise at the Cape point Bakau.
The exercise was witnessed by the Honourable Minister of Interior Mai Ahmad Fatty, representative of the Speaker of the National Assembly, representative of Sectary General, representatives of the Attorney General, members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, Inspector General of Police Yankuba Sonko and representatives of Service Chief’s, members of the press and DLEAG staffs etc
The Director General (DG) of DLEAG Alhaji Bakary Gassama in his opening statement said that the annual drug destruction exercise is a key activity in the Agency’s calendar. According to him, it is meant to publicly destroy drugs seized following successful prosecution in narcotic courts and is equally an opportunity to hold themselves accountable to the general public that seized drugs are destroyed but not recycled back in the market.
According to DG Gassama, the crusade on drugs is both complex and challenging. He however affirmed his agency’s commitment and determination in strengthening actions and cooperation in achieving drug free societies.
He revealed that in the first quarter of 2017, the Agency has registered a record seizure of large quantity of various types of drugs;
- 503kg 266g 385mg of Cannabis,
- 495g 161mg of Hashish
- 50g 909mg of Cocaine
- 24 tablets of Diazepam
- 57 tablets of Bromazepam and
- 10 tablets of Lormetazepam
He further revealed that the total quantity of cannabis to be destroyed was 1 ton 940 kg 500g of Cannabis Sativa noting that it is in no way suggesting that cannabis is the only type of drug seized but rather, it is cases that involve cannabis that have so far been successfully determined by the Narcotic Courts and ordered for destruction.
Further dilating, he said that because of the clandestine nature of illicit drug and the stigma associated with drug abuse, some of the broader impact of it may not be visible to all. The world drug problem he said continues to constitute a serious threat to public health, the safety and well-being of humanity in particular young people, exposing users and non users to injury and death as a result of driving under the influence of drugs, the emotional and psychological impacts on families and the high levels of crime and other social ills have left many communities under siege and it continues to undermines socio-economic and political stability and sustainable development of nations across the globe.
In inhibiting this menace the Director General said ‘I would therefore like to call on every person resident in this country to rally behind us in this noble campaign. One does not have to be a narcotic officer to report drug dealers. Let everybody be a narcotic officer or a police officer. By that, no crime will go undetected in our communities. If you do not report drug dealers to us, do not be surprise to be a victim of drug abuse either directly or indirectly’
He finally called on all stakeholders to rally behind the agency in curbing the menace associated with drug abuse, illicit drug trafficking and related crimes for a safer community and thanked all those who continue to complement the agency’s effort.
The Honourable Minister of Interior Mai Ahmad Fatty on his part said that drug dealers target the most vulnerable of our society and that is the youth.
A Country that does not nurture or care for it youths will have no future and that is why this is a war that goes to the heart of our families, this is a war that is the centre in our homes, in our bedrooms, in our community conversations, that the crusade against drugs is not the function of any single government entity but requires concerted efforts of both state and non state actors on both supply and drug demand reduction stated Minister Fatty.
The minister revealed that “all the drugs we are about to destroy today are exhibits of cases that have been successfully dealt with at the narcotic courts. He added, “These exhibits were kept in safe storage facilities under the watchful eyes of the Narcotic courts prior to their weighment and transportation to this destruction site.
Narrating further, the Honourable Minister said that, the future of this country will not be mortgage by drug dealers, drug peddlers and their patrons. He used the opportunity to thanked and commended all those who have been tirelessly working towards making the Gambia a drug free zone
He sent a stern warning to those who continue to rent their premises to drug dealers, drug pushers and those who provide them shelter and security and refuge stating that their days are numbered as his Ministry will increase the capacity of the Agency, increase their strength and work closely with domestic and international partners so that those building where they are granted refuge will be confiscated and those who grant them refuge will become victims of their own devices
“It is time for us to say ‘NO’ to illicit drugs, it is time for us to work on our future, and it is time for us to face the challenge with all our ability and strength to prove to the world that we can win the war on drugs,” he said.
He emphasised that The Gambia under the new dispensation cannot be a safe haven for drug traffickers and abusers.
The program was chaired by the Public Relations officer of DLEAG Mr. Ousman Saidyba.
