Pubdate: Fri, 09 May 2003
Source: Independent, The (Gambia)
Copyright: The Independent 2003
Contact:  http://www.qanet.gm/Independent/independent.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2912

IMMIGRATION REKINDLES "OPERATION SWEEP CLEAN"

The newly established Law Enforcement Unit of the Immigration Department in 
collaboration with the Drug Squad unit of the Police Force over the weekend 
rekindled "operation sweep clean", targeting specific areas within the 
Greater Banjul Area.

The operation was aimed at cleansing the society of the menace of 
criminals, illegal immigrants, prostitutes among others miscreants.

A number of people were taken into questioning during the operation on 
charges of drug possession and for illegally residing in the country.

Speaking to reporters, the Deputy Director of the Immigration Department 
Tamsir Jasseh stated that a lot of people were taken into custody for not 
regularizing their status as non-Gambians living in the country. He added 
that some of those arrested were immediately after their arrest able to 
regularize their stay in the country. He added that investigations are also 
being conducted on some of those arrested on drug possession most of whom 
have been granted bail.

Jasseh added that the operation, which will continue would target any form 
of criminality, illegal immigrants and anything that falls within the 
purview of the Law Enforcement Unit. He added that the officers would also 
be deployed to other parts of the country for similar operations.

He therefore appealed for the support and collaboration of the general 
public in the provision of information on illegal immigrants, drug dealers 
and prostitutes.

Meanwhile as part of the operation, a contingent of Law Enforcement 
Officers were deployed at the Latrikunda Sabiji Market on Monday to 
crackdown on the illegal immigrants. The officers were seen by this 
reporter screening vendors and market women as they tried to fish out 
illegal immigrants.

Many were later arrested and whisked away in a waiting van registered as WD 
2752.
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