By Isatou Sarr
A woman has been remanded at Mile 2 Central Prison after pleading guilty to charges of possessing and smuggling illicit drugs into the facility.
Bintou Jallow appeared before Principal Magistrate Krubally at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where she entered a voluntary and judicial confession to three counts relating to possession of prohibited substances allegedly intended for inmates at the central prison.
According to the charge sheet, the offences were committed on 16 March 2026 when the accused was found in possession of 264 grams of cannabis sativa, contrary to Section 35(2)(a) of the Drug Control Act 2014; 5 grams 526 milligrams of hashish, contrary to Section 35(1)(b) of the Drug Control Act 2003; and 4 grams of clonazepam, a controlled sedative, contrary to Section 32(1)(b) of the same Act.
The accused, who was unrepresented, was provided with a Wolof interpreter to ensure she fully understood the charges, which were read in both English and Wolof in open court.
On each count, Magistrate Krubally asked the accused how she pleaded, to which she responded: “I plead guilty.”
Despite the plea, the prosecution, led by ASP M.A. Mendy of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG), requested an adjournment, noting that the investigation file was still being finalized and the brief facts of the case had not yet been presented to the court.
Considering the seriousness of the charges and the accused’s confession, Magistrate Krubally denied bail and ordered that Jallow be remanded at Mile 2 Central Prison pending the presentation of facts.
“Taking cues from the voluntary and judicial confession of the accused, I shall accordingly exercise my discretion to remand the accused to Mile 2,” the magistrate ruled.
The court further directed DLEAG to ensure that the complete case file is ready for the next sitting.
The matter was adjourned to Monday, 6 April 2026, at 11:00 a.m., when the prosecution is expected to present the full facts of the case. Conviction and sentencing are expected to follow thereafter.
