UDP said on Saturday it received the news of a major drug bust by the agents of DLEAG at the port with ‘shock and alarm’ because of the ‘reputational’ damage it will cause to the nation’s international image and brand.
“UDP has learned that it is the largest drug seizure in our nation’s history, reportedly over 2 tonnes of cocaine with a street value of over US$88 million. Although the consignee of the shipment has been named by journalists, this has not been officially confirmed by the Gambia Police Force . Unfortunately, this is not the first time that the Gambian Port is used for smuggling drugs by international criminal cartels,” UDP leader Darboe said in a statement.
He added: “This is extremely concerning to the UDP because it makes the Gambia vulnerable to infiltration by international organised crime groups, seeing how weak the Gambia’s security infrastructure is at the ports of entry, to target the Gambia as a weak link in the global efforts to combat transboundary criminal enterprises that rely on their vast criminal networks that are active in money laundering and terrorists financing.
“Therefore the UDP urgently calls on the Gambia Government to conduct a swift and thorough investigation into this matter and to urgently review the security protocols at Gambia Ports Authority in respect of all shipments bound for Banjul.”
NPP’s Ahmad Gitteh reacted to the statement with surprise Sunday saying the party should have thanked government over the seizure instead of trying to score political points.
“You see if you’re angry, anger is not good. It affects one’s sense of judgment,” Gitteh said as he argued UDP should have known a whole institution of government spoke on the issue.
