The Brikama court sent Rickey Usumbura to Mile II prison yesterday after he admitted to having an illegal gun. Magistrate A. Fofana heard that officers found a Taurus pistol with the serial number PT 111G2 9mm plus eighty-two bullets at his place. The law says you need permission for firearms under Section 8(2)(a) of the Arms and Ammunition Act from 2009. Usumbura told the judge he did wrong when asked about the charge.
Officials discovered the weapon in January at Siffoe Village in the West Coast Region. Deputy Superintendent Buteh Sawaneh explained how everything happened on January 14th. Drug enforcement agents caught Rashid - Usumbura's son - carrying what looked like cannabis. They searched the family home next and came across the handgun with two magazines.
The police brought everything straight to Siffoe Police Station for checking. Deputy Sawaneh showed several things as evidence during court yesterday. These included the actual pistol, all ammunition, both magazines, plus an official report from Gambia Armed Forces experts who examined the weapon. Sawaneh represented the Inspector General of Police throughout the hearing.
Usumbura must return to face the judge again today, March 6th. The magistrate decided he should stay locked up until then instead of going home. The firearms charge carries serious penalties under Gambian law. Finding unlicensed weapons happens sometimes during routine drug operations across the country. Law enforcement agencies handle these cases carefully because illegal guns create public safety concerns.
Officials discovered the weapon in January at Siffoe Village in the West Coast Region. Deputy Superintendent Buteh Sawaneh explained how everything happened on January 14th. Drug enforcement agents caught Rashid - Usumbura's son - carrying what looked like cannabis. They searched the family home next and came across the handgun with two magazines.
The police brought everything straight to Siffoe Police Station for checking. Deputy Sawaneh showed several things as evidence during court yesterday. These included the actual pistol, all ammunition, both magazines, plus an official report from Gambia Armed Forces experts who examined the weapon. Sawaneh represented the Inspector General of Police throughout the hearing.
Usumbura must return to face the judge again today, March 6th. The magistrate decided he should stay locked up until then instead of going home. The firearms charge carries serious penalties under Gambian law. Finding unlicensed weapons happens sometimes during routine drug operations across the country. Law enforcement agencies handle these cases carefully because illegal guns create public safety concerns.
