Two officers of the National Drug Enforcement Agency on Thursday testified as prosecution witnesses in an ongoing drug case involving one Ebrima Cham, who has been charged with being in possession of 2kg 560g of cannabis.

 The trial is taking place at the Banjul Magistrates Court. Testifying before Principal Magistrate Edrissa Mbai, the first of the NDEA agents, Tijan Sarr, informed the court that he stays in Gunjur.  According to him, on June 4, 2008, he and two mobile police officers, First Class Jadama and Corporal Kijira, were on patrol. They had, he narrated, come from the Gunjur Police Station and were headed towards the west.  

He said they met the accused person riding a bicycle. He told the court that he (Tijan) tried to stop him but Ebrima Cham refused to stop. He added that they then pursued the accused with a motor bike but he rode into the bush.  When the officers got too close, the drug enforcement officer revealed, Ebrima decided to abandon the bicycle and take to his heels.

The witness asserted that the accused was still carrying a bag on his back, which they (the officers) suspected to contain drugs.  He further stated that he (Tijan) caught up with and arrested the accused, who was then taken to the Gunjur Police Station. The second prosecution witness, Faburama Janneh, also corroborated the testimony of the first witness.

The bag and two bundles of drugs were then tendered and marked as exhibits. NDEA Prosecutor Jallow then informed the court that the prosecution wished to close its case. The case was then adjourned.