Eight arrested as DLEAG seizes 200 bundles of cannabis and seeds in Foni
The Gambia's Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested eight men in a pre-dawn operation on 8 February 2025 in Nyangbolong, Foni Bintang District, and seized more than 200 bundles of suspected cannabis, 13 containers of cannabis seeds and three unlicensed hunting rifles. The agency said the operation targeted cannabis cultivators and dealers, and the suspects were in custody while it investigated.
🇬🇲 Nyangbolong, Foni Bintang District, West Coast Region · Gambia
Arrested
8
Agencies
National Drug Enforcement Agency (Gambia), Gambia Police Force Police Intervention Unit
The Gambia’s Drug Law Enforcement Agency, backed by the police Police
Intervention Unit, arrested eight adult male Gambian nationals in a pre-dawn
operation on Saturday 8 February 2025 in Nyangbolong village, Foni Bintang
District, West Coast Region.[1]The agency said the operation was aimed at
cannabis cultivators and dealers and resulted in the seizure of more than 200
bundles of suspected Cannabis sativa, 13 containers of 20 litres filled with
cannabis seeds intended for cultivation, and three unlicensed hunting rifles.[1]
The drugs agency said 35-year-old Abdoulie Sonko was held with 13 bags holding
165 bundles of suspected cannabis and 11 containers of cannabis seeds, and that
two unlicensed hunting guns were seized at his property.[1]According to the
agency, Edrisa Sonko, 39, was found with nine bundles hidden in a blue plastic
container, Alagie Jammeh, 26, and Modou Sanyang, 35, had three bundles each, and
Desere Sanyang, 40, and Duwa Badjie were arrested for jointly possessing eight
bags of suspected cannabis.[1]The agency said 49-year-old Yusupha Sonko was
held with one bundle, one parcel and other quantities of suspected cannabis, and
50-year-old Nfally Nyassi with a parcel and several quantities.[1]Operatives
also found a bag holding nine suspected cannabis plants and two 20-litre
containers filled with cannabis seeds at a cashew farm.[1]
The three hunting rifles were handed to the police station at Sibanor for
further investigation.[1]The suspects were in the custody of DLEAG, the Drug
Law Enforcement Agency The Gambia, while the investigation continued.[1]The
agency’s management thanked the Inspector General of Police, the assistant
inspector in charge of operations and the Police Intervention Unit command for
their support in operations of this kind.[1]APA reported that the operation
dismantled a large cannabis growing and trafficking network in the west of the
country and that the suspects were expected to be brought before a court in the
following days.[2]
Block TV also reported that eight people were arrested over the weekend and that
more than 200 bundles of suspected Cannabis sativa, more than a dozen containers
of cannabis seeds and three unlicensed hunting rifles were seized.[3]
Photos and video
Rifles and white sacks of what the agency said was cannabis from the Nyangbolong operation, in the APAnews picture published with the DLEAG announcement. Photo: APAnewsPhoto details
The sources give no weight for the more than 200 bundles of cannabis, so no kilogram figure is recorded.
The seeds were reported as 13 containers of 20 litres in all, but the bundles' total of 165 at Sonko's property and individual parcels elsewhere are not stated to add up to the 'over 200' figure.
No charges, court date or outcome were reported; APA said the suspects were expected to be brought to court within days.
The plant material is described as 'suspected' cannabis sativa and no laboratory confirmation was reported.
The place name appears as Nyangbolong in DLEAG's statement and as Nyanbolong in The Point's opening paragraph.
The submitted APA page's photo carries only the story headline as a caption and no credit naming the seizure; it is linked, not treated as a cover.
Left out, as its quotation was not found in The Standard: The Standard, citing DLEAG spokesman Ousman Saidybah, reported the same arrest of eight people and the same seizures of more than 200 bundles of suspected cannabis, more than a dozen containers of cannabis seeds and three unlicensed hunting rifles.
Left out force, as its quotation was not found in The Point.
Gambia's Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested 51 suspects in nationwide operations in October 2026, including two men held at Banjul Post Office with five parcels of suspected skunk. Officers also recovered cannabis sativa, kush and hashish alongside other drugs, with all 51 remaining in custody pending investigation.
Brikama Magistrates' Court convicted three government van drivers on 8 October 2026 after DLEAG found 44 kg 402 g of cannabis in their ministry vehicle at Kalagi on 26 August 2026. Each was fined D350,000 with a five-year default prison term; two paid part of the fine and one was remanded.
On 28 February and 1 March 2026, a joint operation at Jinack Nigi and Jinack Kajata destroyed 60 cannabis farms and burned 14 bags of cannabis, according to the information minister. The Point reported no arrests but gave a two-day breakdown that totals 50 farms.
DLEAG uncovered two cannabis plantations near Sawma Kunda in October 2025 and arrested nine people, including 60-year-old village alkalo Momodou Camara and two children aged 15 and 17. Interrogation of suspect Essa Jawo led officers to the remaining suspects; two motorcycles were recovered.
