Eight Nigerian nationals are currently in State custody after allegedly making foiled attempts to smuggle large quantity of cocaine from Gambia.

The eight; Klement Ifeaniyi Obiorah, Kafo Francis Paul, Samuel Nwaiwu, Edi Banke Anthony, James Nikolas, Oposo Malachi Ngozi, Faith Chinomso Obatu and Amanchiku Okfo, were on 20 July 2007, arrested at the Banjul International Airport whilst attempting to board an airplane.

They were on Thursday arraigned before magistrate Edrisa Mbai at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court on charges of drug trafficking.

The suspects are alleged to have swallowed various quantities of cocaine ranging from 1.9g to 909g but when their alleged offences were late last week related to them, they denied responsibility and some of them would consequently reappear in court on August 29, 2007 whilst others will reappear on August, 30.

Abdoulie Ceesay will represent the National Drug Enforcement Agency in the trials.