The Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG) has revealed that Senegalese and Sierra Leoneans top the list of foreign nationals arrested with drugs in The Gambia over the past two years.

This comes amid ongoing efforts by the agency to tackle drug trafficking and abuse in the country, as more youth are being seriously affected by the inflow of illegal substances.

“From the total number of 94 foreign nationals arrested in 2023, 33 are Senegalese, 7 Bissau Guinean, 4 Conakry Guineans, 9 Nigerians, 34 Sierra Leoneans, 3 British nationals, 1 American, 1 Turkish, 1 Spanish, and 1 DR Congo national,” DLEAG reported.

“Sierra Leoneans, followed by Senegalese nationals, account for the bulk of the foreign nationals arrested. However, while the total number of Sierra Leonean nationals increased from 10 in 2022 to 34 in 2023, the total number of Senegalese decreased from 51 in 2022 to 33 in 2023,” the agency added.

As drug abuse continues to impact Gambian society, DLEAG’s initiatives aim to reduce the inflow of illegal substances and address their effects on the youth.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba