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By: Fabakary B. Ceesay
Authentic and confirmed information investigated by Trumpet Newspaper has it that Officers of Drug Law Enforcement Agency the Gambia (DLEAG), has seized 48 blocks of cocaine in a sugar container imported by Laura Food Company (LFC), owned by two Lebanese businessmen. The company which was operating in the Gambia since 2016 deals in various types of foodstuff is owned by Ossama Mahmoud and Husain Seaff, both Lebanese nationals.
Shortly after the seizure, DLEAG has taken into custody two suspects namely Ossama Mahmoud one of the shareholders of the company and Mehdi Tajudinn the Sales Manager. However, the authorities are yet to arrest Husain Seaff another shareholders who is said to be out of the jurisdiction.
According to the outcome of our investigation, on Saturday 27 July, labourers of Mauritanian businessman Sidi Ahmed whilst offloading a 20 feet sugar container at a store at Picton Street found two loose bags containing 26 blocks of suspected cocaine. The buyer Mr. Sidi Ahmed contacted his supplier Mr. Mehdi Tajudinn the sales manager of LFC and informed him of a substance found in a sugar container sold to him by LFC. Mr. Mehdi is a nephew to Muhammed Nasser the Proprietor of Kairaba Shopping Centre.
Our investigation further revealed that the sugar was part of a consignment of 30x20ft containers of white sugar ordered by LFC from Toyota Tsusho Sugar Trading Company in Brazil.
After a tip of DLEAG dispatched officers to the scene and further searching led to the discovery of another 22 blocks making a total quantity of 48 blocks of cocaine. At the scene of the seizure the blocks were tested and proved cocaine positive.
Contacted for comments, the DLEAG Director of Intelligence and International Cooperation Lamin J. Gassama confirmed the seizure of 48 blocks of cocaine found in a sugar container imported into the Gambian by Laura Food Company. Gassama also confirmed that a shareholder and one senior manager of the company are in their custody and helping with the investigations. However, he said they could not get hold of one of the shareholders who is currently said to be out of the country.