Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – In a concerted effort to curb drug abuse, illicit trafficking, and related transnational organized crime, the Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia (DLEAG), in collaboration with the Gambia Immigration Department (GID), has conducted successful sting operations.

These operations resulted in the arrest of twenty Nigerian nationals suspected of engaging in online scamming, documentation fraud, and other criminal activities.

The operations, carried out simultaneously on Thursday, June 27, 2024, led to the apprehension of fifteen suspects in Wullinkama. These suspects were found with twenty-three laptops and eighteen mobile phones.

The remaining five suspects were arrested on Coastal Road, in possession of two laptops and ten mobile phones. Additionally, operatives discovered a red plastic containing quantities of suspected skunk cannabis.

All twenty suspects have been taken into custody and charged with joint possession of a prohibited drug. The cases concerning suspected online scamming and documentation fraud will be forwarded to the Gambia Police Force and GID for further investigations. The necessary actions will follow based on the outcomes of these investigations.

This operation is not an isolated incident. In the past, DLEAG and GID operatives, with support from the Police Intervention Unit (PIU), have made similar arrests.

In the West Coast Region’s Faraba area, forty-nine Sierra Leoneans and two Nigerians were apprehended for suspected criminal activities.

Earlier, in March 2022, thirteen Nigerian nationals were arrested in Old Yundum for suspected online scamming. They were found with eighteen laptops, nineteen mobile phones, one router, and thirteen passports.

These recurring incidents highlight the critical need for continuous vigilance and proactive measures in combating not only drug trafficking but also other forms of crime that threaten the nation’s peace, safety, and economic stability.

The authorities call on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies. Active community participation and collaboration are essential to maintaining safe, secure, and drug-free communities.