A man has been convicted for attempting to smuggle two pistols, eight pepper sprays, and thirteen mobile phones through Banjul airport. 

Wandy Simaga pleaded guilty to two counts of importation of prohibited firearms and possession of firearms without authority at Brikama Magistrates’ Court.

Simaga was arrested last September during a security screening at the airport after arriving on a Vueling Airline from Europe. 

However, he fled custody prompting an extensive manhunt, according to police. 

He was re-arrested on Sunday (April 13) and later arraigned before principal magistrate Anna O. Mendy.  

Simaga was fined D100,000 or two years’ imprisonment for each count. The sentences are to run consecutively, meaning he will serve a total of four years in prison if the fines are not paid.  

Magistrate Mendy ordered the two pistols to be forfeited to the state.