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.