The Government has officially announced that it has charged and issued an international bench warrant for the arrest of Banta Keita, a suspect owner of three tons of drugs worth over four billion dalasis. The announcement came following an intense debate on the appalling discovery of such magnitude of drugs in the soil of the smiling coast. 

A statement issued by the government’s spokesperson, Ebrima Sankareh on Friday reads “An Interpol ‘Red Notice’ was issued on 14 January 2021 for the worldwide arrest of Mr. Keita, born 2nd January 1984 in Passamas, Upper River Region in The Gambia after a government request.

“Mr. Keita and his suspected local accomplice Mr Sheriff Njie, born on 6th April 1977, were charged by the Banjul Magistrates’ Court on three counts of aggravated drug trafficking, dealing in prohibited drugs and conspiracy. While Mr. Keita remains at large, Mr. Njie is remanded at the Mile II Central Prisons in Banjul.”

The statement further stated that the president of Republic of The Gambia H.E Adama Barrow, has asked the nation’s security service chiefs to put together a task-force in order to get to the root of the cocaine’s bust. “During Monday’s National Security Council (NSC) briefing President Barrow directed The Gambia’s security chiefs to immediately constitute a multi-agency task-force that shall conduct a robust, thorough and impartial investigation into the case and ensure that all legal means are utilized in bringing the culprits to justice. The president unequivocally condemned drug abuse and trafficking, and declared zero tolerance for traffickers,” the statement said.

“Mr. Barrow reiterated his government’s continuous commitment and unflinching support to the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEA) as well as his resolve to fight the drug menace. As a signatory to all major United Nations Drug Conventions and the Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, The Gambia Government will strengthen the DLEAG in its crusade against drug traffickers,” the spokesman’s statement concluded.

By: Fatoumatta Samateh