A group of labourers have helped bust a cocaine smuggling ring by Lebanese businessmen in The Gambia.

The vigilant labourers helped the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG) seized 48 blocks of cocaine, worth millions of dalasi, from a food container last week.

The cocaine shipment is believed to have been sent from Brazil and was shipped into the country by Mahdi Tajudinn and Ossama Mahmoud, two prominent Lebanese businessmen in Banjul.

The businessmen were arrested after the drug seizure and are now in custody helping narcotic officers in their investigations.

According to the deputy spokesperson of DLEAG, Yassin A. Ndimballan, the container was part of a consignment of 30x20ft containers of white crystal sugar ordered from Toyota Tsusho Sugar Trading Ltd based in the UK.

Ms Ndimballan said while offloading the sugar at a shop at Picton Street in Banjul, the labourers discovered two loose bags containing 20 blocks and 6 blocks of what was suspected to be cocaine.

“The laborers then informed the buyer (Sid Ahmed) who also called the attention of the supplier (Mahdi Tajudinn, the Sales Manager of LFC). Mahdi then instructed Ahmed Ali, an employee of LFC to go and verify what was discovered and upon providing feedback, Mahdi came to the scene to see for himself.”

She added: “Having been shown the blocks, Mahdi instructed for the container to be escorted to their warehouse on Bond Road and and also informed his uncle, one Muhamed Nasser proprietor of Kairaba Shopping Center.

“Mr. Nasser then contacted one Muhamed Zeid (DAA) who advised them to contact DLEAG.”

She said that on arrival the officers of the drug agency were shown the two bags containing 26 blocks of cocaine.

“A further search resulted in the discovery of two more bags containing 10 and 12 blocks of cocaine respectively.

“In total four bags
concealing cocaine were discovered containing (6), (20), (12), (10)
blocks making a total quantity of (48) blocks.”

Ms Ndimballan her agency will continue to work hard in the fight against drug traffickers

Last week drug seizure is one of the biggest drug busts in the country.