Operatives of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia (DLEAG), stationed at Kwinela in the Lower River Region recently in collaboration with the Gambia Police Force, have intercepted a large pharmaceutical consignment destined for Kaur in the Central River
Officers stopped a commercial sprinter van with registration number WCR 5062 B, which was carrying 125 boxes of medicinal products.
According to DLEAG, inconsistencies between the driver’s account, the claims of the accompanying agent, and the details on the official permit raised suspicions of misdeclaration or diversion.
The vehicle was subsequently escorted to the agency’s field office in Bijilo for further checks.
A detailed search by DLEAG personnel and staff of the Medicine Control Agency (MCA) revealed that, “the permit presented was issued to a recipient named Malick Sall but did not include a full inventory of the drugs on board.”.
The consignment contained products for two recipients — Sall and one Lahat Sylla, who owned the bulk of the goods.
Sylla’s permit was not initially with the driver and was only forwarded in PDF format after the interception.
Some medicines on board were not listed in the official permit.
Scientific analysis confirmed that no prohibited or controlled drugs were found.
DLEAG said the presence of unpermitted medicines and missing documentation pointed to misdeclaration, unauthorized distribution, and possible diversion.
The agency praised the swift collaboration with MCA, stressing the importance of tighter regulatory control to prevent misuse and diversion of pharmaceuticals.
The driver, the agent, and the intended recipient, along with the 125 boxes of medicinal products, have been handed over to the MCA for further investigation and action.
