Gunfire in Saly: A Frenchman and a Comorian man arrested by police with cocaine, a pistol, and counterfeit money

During a security and anti-drug trafficking operation, the Saly urban police station's investigation unit, under the command of Commissioner Oumar Mbaye, arrested JG Thibaut, born in Athis-Mons, France, aged 37, who claimed to be a freight forwarder residing in Somone and passing through Saly, and GB Charaf, born in Tsinismoichongo , Comoros, aged 27, a student residing in Ngaparou and also passing through Saly. The events took place on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at approximately 6:30 a.m.

While conducting a routine patrol in the Saly Golf area, near the plant nursery fields, officers from the BR (Brigade de Recherches - Research Brigade) heard a sound resembling a gunshot. Immediately heading to the scene to investigate, the officers spotted a white SUV preparing to leave. When the driver refused to comply with orders to stop, the officers fired two warning shots. Despite this, the driver accelerated and continued on to the Rhino Hotel, where the vehicle was stopped.

A search of the vehicle's interior allowed detectives to discover a firearm, 1 gram of cocaine, and paper US dollar bills presented as counterfeit.

Following these findings, JG Thibaut and GB Charaf were arrested and taken to the Saly police station for the purposes of the investigation.

During his hearing, Thibaut stated that he wanted to show his friend how to use the weapon in question.

It was in this context that they allegedly went to the area around the golf course for testing. He stated that after firing once, he handed the weapon to his friend, who then allegedly fired twice.

Regarding the cocaine found in the vehicle, the suspect acknowledged its presence, while denying that he was the owner.

As for the paper banknotes, he maintained that they were papers made in the form of banknotes intended for use in the production of video clips.

When questioned in turn, GB Charaf rejected all the allegations made against him by JG Thibaut and denied all the facts of which he is accused, without any proof.

A search was then carried out at JG Thibaut's home in Somone, in his constant and active presence. In this sparsely furnished three-room apartment, including a living room and toilet, the police discovered four rounds of ammunition, 194 US$1,000 bills, and 100 counterfeit US$100 bills.

The weapon (a Colt) with its empty magazine, the four rounds of ammunition, the gram of cocaine, the 190 counterfeit $100 bills, the 194 counterfeit $1,000 bills and the Ford Explorer registered AA 941 BX were all placed under seal to be deposited at the registry of the High Court of Mbour.

At the end of their custody, JG Thibaut and GB Charaf were brought before Prosecutor Augustin Yakhar Faye, head of the prosecutor's office at the High Court of Mbour, today for criminal association, possession for the purpose of drug use involving 1 g of cocaine, possession of a firearm without administrative authorization, possession of counterfeit dollar currency and refusal to comply.