By Isatou Sarr
The Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia (DLEAG), has arrested two foreign nationals at Banjul International Airport with 11,771 suspected ecstasy pills and 18 large stones of suspected crystal methamphetamine.
The two suspects, identified as 26-year-old Augustina Ayela Monzon, a Spanish national, and 24-year-old Maria Cantero Ali, an Argentinian national, were arrested on 28 September 2026, according to DLEAG.
The Agency said the suspected drugs were concealed in a pink suitcase and a black suitcase.
The airport arrests formed part of a nationwide operation during which DLEAG said it arrested 21 suspected drug offenders aged between 18 and 65.
The suspects comprise 18 Gambians, one Sierra Leonean, one Spanish national and one Argentinian national. Nineteen are male and two are female.
DLEAG said 10 arrests were made in the West Coast Region, six in the Kanifing Municipality, four in the Upper River Region and one in the Central River Region.
Among the other suspects arrested was 22-year-old Omar Jarju of Kerewan, who was arrested on 23 September with three stones of suspected crack cocaine concealed in a yellow nylon bag.
On the same date, 21-year-old Abdoulie Ceesay of Kerewan was arrested with two stones of suspected crack cocaine and one wrap of suspected cannabis sativa concealed in white and ash-coloured paper.
DLEAG also reported the arrest of 45-year-old Ousman Yarboe of Banjulinding on 25 September with one large sachet and nine small bags of suspected cannabis ruderalis, commonly known as skunk, concealed in two separate buckets.
On 26 September, 37-year-old Saidina Ceesay of Gunjur was arrested with 18 wraps of suspected cannabis sativa concealed in white paper and a black sock, the Agency said.
DLEAG further reported several other arrests involving suspected cannabis sativa, cannabis ruderalis, kush, cannabis resin, commonly known as hashish, and suspected molly.
Those arrested included 41-year-old Kalley Sankara and 65-year-old Sarra Dampha of Musa Kunda; 26-year-old Papis Jobe of Babylon; 27-year-old Edward Gomez of Kololi; 40-year-old Foday Fatty of Babylon; 40-year-old Lamin Sawaneh of Brikamaba; and 24-year-old Mike Miltol, a Sierra Leonean national residing in Kololi.
According to DLEAG, Miltol was arrested on 22 September with six pieces of suspected molly concealed in white paper and an empty cigarette packet.
Further arrests between 27 September and 1 October involved suspected kush, cannabis sativa, cannabis ruderalis and cannabis resin.
Those arrested included Ousman Gibril Ceesay of Kololi, Seedy Conteh of Old Jeshwang, Ismaila Barrow of Siffoe, Musa Touray of Bakau, Musa Saidy of Gunjur, Modou Lamin Sanneh and Alieu Touray of Basse Kabbakama, and Dodou Jagne of Dippa Kunda.
DLEAG said all 21 suspects remain in custody as investigations into their respective cases continue.
The Agency said the arrests formed part of its ongoing operations targeting the trafficking, dealing, possession and abuse of cannabis and other controlled substances across The Gambia.