Yesterday at Brikama court, Magistrate Fofana handed down a tough sentence to American Rickey Usumbura. The judge fined him D120,000 for having an unlicensed gun and bullets. If he fails to pay this amount, he faces ten years behind bars. The 61-year-old man spoke for himself during the trial and admitted he broke the law.
Police official Buteh Sawaneh explained the case details to everyone present. On January 14, officers caught Usumbura's son Rashid with marijuana during regular checks around Siffoe. They searched the family home afterward. The officers discovered a Brazilian Taurus pistol plus two magazines and eighty-two bullets hidden inside.
Law enforcement sent these weapons to military experts for testing. The results became important proof during the court proceedings. When asked to explain himself before punishment, Usumbura begged for mercy as someone who had never broken laws before. He told the judge he runs a big farm that gives jobs to ten local citizens.
He tried defending himself by claiming he kept the gun just to kill dangerous snakes on his property. The judge listened but still decided on the heavy fine. Magistrate Fofana also declared the firearms and all ammunition must go straight back to police custody. The case highlights the strict enforcement of Gambian weapon laws, even for foreign nationals living there.
Police official Buteh Sawaneh explained the case details to everyone present. On January 14, officers caught Usumbura's son Rashid with marijuana during regular checks around Siffoe. They searched the family home afterward. The officers discovered a Brazilian Taurus pistol plus two magazines and eighty-two bullets hidden inside.
Law enforcement sent these weapons to military experts for testing. The results became important proof during the court proceedings. When asked to explain himself before punishment, Usumbura begged for mercy as someone who had never broken laws before. He told the judge he runs a big farm that gives jobs to ten local citizens.
He tried defending himself by claiming he kept the gun just to kill dangerous snakes on his property. The judge listened but still decided on the heavy fine. Magistrate Fofana also declared the firearms and all ammunition must go straight back to police custody. The case highlights the strict enforcement of Gambian weapon laws, even for foreign nationals living there.
