Saikou Bah Jammeh and Ebrima Jawara, both officers of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA), were yesterday, January 22, arraigned before Principal Magistrate Edrisa Mbai of the Banjul Magistrates Court.

The two NDEA officers were accused of being in possession of a prohibited drug (cannabis) and conspiracy to commit felony. It was said that the duo - on June 26, 2008, at the NDEA head office in Banjul - broke into the agency’s store and stole 940 kilograms of cannabis. They both pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The magistrate then granted bail to the accused persons, the condition for which was to provide a Gambian surety who must deposit a title deed with the court.  The case was adjourned to February 5th 2009.  Buba Bojang, state prosecutor, represented the NDEA at the trial.