By Dawda M. Jallow
The Kanifing Magistrates’ Court Wednesday fined a 33-year-old man, Mbye Ceesay D25,000 after he was found guilty of storing medicines at an unauthorised premises.
The case was presided over by Magistrate Binta Sowe. Chief Inspector A. Bojang, appearing for the state, charged Ceesay under Section 59 (1)(d) of the Medicines and Related Products Act 2014 for storing medicines without lawful authority.
According to court records, the incident occurred on 24 June 2025 in Serrekunda, Kanifing Municipality, where Ceesay stored 19 cubes of Funbact-A, 13 Vitamin E capsules, and one Prekese herbal product at an unauthorised premises.
Ceesay admitted to the charges, and a plea of guilty was entered on his behalf.
CIP Bojang told the court that the Medicine Control Agency (MCA), in a joint operation with Gambia Security officials, conducted a search at Ceesay’s shop after introducing themselves and explaining the reason for their visit. The illegal medicines were recovered, listed, and recorded in a seizure form. Ceesay confirmed ownership of the products and signed the quarantine and forfeiture documents before being escorted to the police station for further action.
At the police station, a voluntary and cautionary statement was obtained from Ceesay, and the case was subsequently forwarded to the police for prosecution.
The prosecution requested that the recovered products and statements be admitted into evidence and later forfeited to the MCA for destruction, a request that was granted by the court.
Defense Counsel A.W. Loum urged the court to temper justice with mercy, noting that Ceesay was illiterate, admitted his wrongdoing promptly, was a first-time offender, and was the primary breadwinner for his family.
In delivering judgment, Magistrate Sowe recognised Ceesay’s cooperation and his family responsibilities but emphasised the need to protect society from unauthorised medicines.
She, therefore, imposed a non-custodial fine of D25,000, stating that in default of payment, Ceesay would serve four months at Mile II Central Prison.
