Gambia: Money laundering case involving Banta Kieta, Dleag Director coss-examined

Lamin J. Gassama, the director of Investigation and International Cooperation at the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia (DLEAG), was yesterday cross-examined by Samuel Ade, the defence counsel for Sheriff Njie, who is facing charges of aggravated drug trafficking.

He is jointly charged with fugitive Banta Keita who also faces money laundering and other drug-related offence charges.

When the case was mentioned yesterday at the High Court at Mile 7, Muhammed B. Sowe announced his appearance for the State, while lawyer Sheriff Tambadou announced his appearance for the 1st suspect Banta Keita. Samuel Ade appeared for the second accused person Sheriff Njie.

Asked whether Bollarre or Circuit Trading Company was present during the weighing of the suspected cocaine, the witness responded, saying: “It was only Circuit Company that was present during the weighing of the suspected drugs.”

“Do you have a document to show that at any material time the container was transferred to the second accused person? The witness, Lamin J. Gassama, added that the container was not transferred to him. However, his name and telephone number appeared in the papers as the contact person.

Ade further asked: “You will agree with me that the Circuit Trading Company didn’t transfer custody of the container by way of writing documents to the second accused person? The witness replied stating that it was not transferred by way of writing documents.

Further asked again as to who was the agent that cleared the container where the suspected drugs were found, the witness said he couldn’t remember.

“I am sure you remember that it was not the second accused person?" the witness responded affirmatively, saying it was not the second accused person.