The Gambia’s Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEA) on Thursday destroyed over 2.9 tons of illicit drugs worth millions of dalasis after they were seized by the state.

The drugs were burned outdoors at the Old Cape Point Road and was witnessed by senior government officials and security personnel. The drug haul consisted of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and hashish.

The director general of the agency, Bakary Gassama, said his agency was proactive in the fight against drugs abuse and trafficking in the country.

“The drug malaise mainly affects the youths. Drug trafficking is a national security threat and has inimical economic and political consequences.”

Gassama added that 700 people have so far been arrested and prosecuted for drug trafficking over the years. He commended the staff of the agency and partners for their support in the anti-drugs fight and appealed for more training for his staff to enhance their capacity.

For his part, Gaye Sowe, the chairman of the DLEAG board, said the seizures demonstrated the commitment of the staff and he gave the assurances that the board would be committed to enhancing the capacity of the staff.

Sowe expressed concerned about the quantity of the drugs destroyed adding that it should be a “cause for [grave] concern to the state.”

After the burning of the drugs, personnel of the scientific unit of DLEAG, demonstrated to the crowd how they tested drugs such as cocaine, heroin and marijuana