In what could best be described as a rare occurrence in the drug trafficking scenes of The Gambia, the Brikama Magistrates’ Court in Western region will, late next week, start hearing testimonies in a cocaine case brought against an alleged female drug trafficker.

Ilida Dacosta, who was reportedly arrested at the Banjul International Airport some eight months ago, was on Thursday of last week arraigned before Magistrate Edrisa Mbai to answer drug trafficking charges.

She was charged with possession of 260g of cocaine contrary to section 43(4) B of the Drug Control Act of 2004 as amended.

However when the charges were read out to Ilida, she denied the allegations and is due back in court on 6 December 2007, for trial.

She will be represented by Amie Joof-Conteh whilst the National Drug Control Agency will be represented by Detective Abdoulie Ceesay.