Press statement
SEIZURE OF 91 PARCELS OF SKUNKWEED AND 1988 TABLETS OF ECSTASY TABLETS
The Drug Law Enfrocement Agency of The Gambia (DLEAG) Sensitive Investigation Unit and the Seaport Command in a highly coordinated operation made a record seizure of 76 parcels of skunkweed weighing 42kg 800g and 1988 tablets of Ecstasy on Saturday 18th May 2024. This operation was preceded by the seizure of 15 parcels of skunkweed from the same source on Thursday 18th April 2024. In total, a record amount of 91 parcels of skunkweed and 1988 tablets of ecstasy was seized.
This breakthrough disrupt the criminal activities of a major Gambian skunk and Ecstasy trafficking ring based in Atlanta, Georgia – USA. The sender of the drugs is identified as 32-year-old Musa Keita, a Gambian based in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States of America. Shipping records indicates that Musa has imported into the Gambia since early 2021 huge quantity of drugs in various consignments using unsuspecting container freight service providers. The boxes will often be labelled with fake names and telephone numbers and declared as food stuffs and medicaments for his mother.
His mother Hulay Touray, age 58 of Sukuta will received the boxes from the shipper and serve as the first line in the local distribution chain. Hulay is currently arrested and detained while Musa remain a fugitive in the United States of America.
Since COVID-19, ecstasy has become a ‘’drug of problem’’ for the Gambia as many young people particularly girls are into the abuse. It is imperative for us to work together as concerned people to fight back the criminals at home and abroad involved in the trafficking of the drugs into the c country. DLEAG stand ready to protect our society from the harms of drug abuse, while devising strategies to cater for the peculiar needs of victims of drug abuse – through rehabilitation programs.
Alh. Bakary Gassama
Director General
Dated: 22nd May 2024.
Source: DLEAG
