Gambia security officer allegedly involved in drug deal

The police in Banjul have brought criminal charges against Musa B. Sanneh, a member of the President Yahya Jammeh-established joint-security organisation, Operation Bulldozer.

Operation Bulldozer, a brain-child of the Gambian leader, was setup in May 2012 for what Yahya Jammeh said was meant to “clean the country of criminals.”

Sanneh, a soldier, who is accused of selling heroin, a prohibited drug, to one Vesna Faye Milosavljevic at the tune of D12, 700, made his second appearance at the Kanifing Municipality Magistrates’ Court on October 8, 2012.

He is standing trial on three charges - abuse of office, corrupt practices, and destroying evidence.

Sanneh, who is being represented by Counsel Moses B. Johnson Richards, has denied the charges.   

However, the case could not proceed on Monday following the absence of the defence counsel.

The Presiding Magistrate, Sheriff B. Tabally, warned that the court shall discharge the case if the defence counsel fails to appear in the next adjourned date of 15 October, 2012.  The police prosecutor in the case is Chief Inspector Jammeh.

    

Charges

Count one: Abuse of office contrary to section 90 sub-section 2 of the criminal code.   The particulars of the offence states that Musa B Sanneh, on or about 11^th August 2012 at Manjai Kunda in the Kanifing Municipality of The Republic of The Gambia, being employ to the public service of The Gambia, sold drug (Heroine) to Vesna Faye Milosavljevic for the purpose of gaining money which he knows or have reasons to believe is against the functions of his office.

Count two: Corrupt practice contrary to section 360 of the criminal code.  The particulars of the offence has it that Musa B Sanneh, on or about 11^th August 2012 a Manjai Kunda within the Kanifing Municipality of the Republic of The Gambia being employ in the public service of The Gambia, received twelve thousand and seven hundred Dalasis (D12, 700) from Vesna Faye Milosavljevic being the proceed of drugs (Heroine) that he (Sanneh) gave to Faye Milosavljevic thereby committed an offence.

Count three: Destroy of evidence contrary to section 101 of the criminal code.  The particulars of the offence indicates that at the Bulldozer base in Banjul Sanneh unlawfully took drugs (Heroine) from the exhibits store and sold it to Vesna Faye Milosavljevic which he know to be exhibits and thereby committed an offence.