Business tycoon, Sillabah Samateh has categorically denied having any knowledge about the two tons of cocaine with a street value estimated at D4 billion seized at the Banjul port last week.

The 118 bags of cocaine were discovered last Thursday during a search of a container shipped from the port of Guayaquil in Ecuador and through Algeciras in Spain. It was not clear where the cocaine was ultimately heading to.

Since the seizure, speculations have been going around that the likes of Sillaba Samateh who is perceived to be close to President Adama Barrow might have an idea about the Gambian-French national, who allegedly smuggled the drugs into the country.

In an interview Mr Samateh said: “Any suggestion that I know anything about this is completely false. I have no business with anybody who deals with drugs. I have never engaged in drug business. I don’t even know Banta Keita. All these allegations are politically motivated. They are anticipated to tarnish my image. I don’t even know any drug dealer and if anyone has any evidence about my involvement in drugs, I challenge you to bring it forward. Those who claimed that I am close to Barrow because I want to promote my drug business are warned that if I come across anyone accusing me of selling drugs, it doesn’t matter wherever you are around the world, I will take you to court”.

The businessman-cum-political activist said he is pretty much content with what he has, arguing that no amount of monetary inducement will make him take part in drug dealing.

Mr Samateh asserts that he has lived in Europe for years but no one has ever heard about his involvement in drug dealings, he was also never charged or arrested in connection to drugs. To him, he doesn’t understand why Gambian people will want to tarnish his image for things he know nothing about.

 

By: Sainabou Jasseh