The trial involving fugitive Banta Keita, a French-Gambian national, who is charged with money laundering and other drug-related offences will resume today before Justice Ngui Mboob of the High Court in New Jeshwang.

Lamin Gassama, the director of Investigation and International Cooperation of the DLEAG is expected to be cross examined by the defence counsel Sheriff Tambadou.

Operatives of the country’s Drug Law Enforcement Agency The-Gambia, (DLEAG) in January 2021 seized nearly three tonnes of cocaine from a shipment of industrial salt originating from Ecuador, amounting to over $88 million. It is reported to be the biggest ever cocaine seizure in the country by the narcotics agency.

The 118 bags weighed a gross 2tonnes, 952kg, and 850g. The cocaine was discovered during a search of a container shipped from the port of Guayaquil in Ecuador and through Algeciras in Spain, and then to the country.