By Sekou Hydara
Drug Law Enforcement Agency yesterday destroyed over 2.9 tons of cannabis sativa, cocaine, heroin and hashish after receiving approval to destroy quantities of drugs whose cases have been successfully dealt with in court.
The destruction exercise which took place at old Cape Point Road was witnessed by senior government officials, the deputy speaker of national assembly and other dignitaries.
Bakary Gassama, director general Drug Law Enforcement Agency described drugs trafficking as trait to national security and has economic and political consequences which need to be addressed through concerted effort.
He stressed the agency’s readiness to combat the use of drugs that have affected the society particularly the youths who have engaged in petty drug business.
Gassama also revealed that, seven hundred people were arrested over the years relating to drugs trafficking and more than seven hundred cases have been heard by the court.
He also commended the staffs of the agency and its partners for their support in fighting the drugs and appealed for training of his staffs in order to enhance their capacity.
The chairman of the board Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Gaye Sowe pointed out that the efforts designate the commitment of the staffs in combating the use of drugs in the country.
He added that the board will be committed in enhancing the capacity of the staffs, revealing that that the agency is working on demand reduction.
He observed that young people are becoming liability to their family who abandon education to engage in petty drug business.
Mr Gaye also assured that every effort will be made to combat the use of drugs and trafficking in and out of the country as Gambia and other countries in Africa are used as transit for drug trafficking .
Gaye expressed concern over the quantities of drugs destroyed which he views as a cause of concern for the state.
The exercise also witnessed the testing of drugs such as cocaine, heroin and cannabis sativa by the scientific unit of the agency.
