By Mama A Touray
As the world commemorates International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking, Minister of Interior, Hon Seyaka Sonko disclosed that the drug law enforcement agency has registered one thousand six hundred and twenty-nine cases in 2023.
Presiding on the commemoration of the day on Friday, 23rd June 2023 at his office in Kotu, under the theme People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination and StrengthenPrevention, Minister Sonko said “At the National level, the drug law enforcement agency, the Gambia registered one thousand six hundred and twenty-nine cases involving one thousand and sixty-five accused from 2021 to April 2023.”
He added that the agency also seized almost six tons of cannabis, close to four tons of cocaine, and more than eighteen thousand assortments of controlled drugs ranging from ecstasy, diazepam, Clonazepam, methamphetamine, and bromazepam, amongst others. While noting that within the same period, the agency equally seized significant quantities of hashish, skunk, and kush.
“Our success in the crusade against illicit drug trafficking and abuse is highly dependent on our collaborative participation and partnership in the fight against drugs and related activities. Abating drugs and related activities must not be seen as the responsibility of law enforcement entities alone,” he stated.
Members of the public, he said, have a pivotal role to join the bandwagon in the crusade against drugs by strengthening prevention programs in their various communities and reporting suspicious drug-related activities to enforcement entities.
“Under the leadership of President Adama Barrow, we will ensure that we capacitate the drug law enforcement agency, the Gambia to fulfill its mandate effectively and efficiently,” he expressed.
He assured of the government’s continuous support and promoteinitiatives aimed at promoting evidence-based prevention and treatment programs and activities.
Hon Sonko, therefore, called on civil society organizations, community-based organizations, youth groups, and all relevant stakeholders to complement the government’s efforts and participate in drug prevention programs and activities.
