A Germany-based Gambian man has found himself in serious legal trouble upon his arrival at Banjul International Airport after being caught with suspected illegal drugs.

Alieu Njie, 41, was apprehended shortly after landing on an SN Brussels 233 flight from Brussels. Security officers at The Gambia’s only international airport conducted a search and discovered what is believed to be a large quantity of illicit drugs in his possession.

The Gambia Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG), the details of the arrest were revealed: “A Gambian national residing in Germany was arrested upon arrival at the Banjul International Airport on the 17th of December 2024 with ten packs of ecstasy tablets amounting to forty-seven thousand and seventy-eight (47,078) tablets.

“The passenger travelled from Germany aboard SN Brussels 233 flight from Brussels. He is currently in custody while further investigations continue,” the statement added.

The arrest highlights the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in The Gambia, a growing concern in recent years despite stringent penalties for drug-related offenses.

Authorities have been ramping up efforts to curb the smuggling and distribution of illegal substances, particularly at key entry points such as airports and seaports.

Njie’s case is now under investigation, and officials have yet to disclose whether he was acting alone or as part of a larger trafficking network.

The Gambia’s authorities have reiterated their commitment to combating drug trafficking and have called on the public to assist by reporting any suspicious activities.

By Adama Makasuba