Kaël: Eight kilos of Indian hemp seized from three taxi passengers

The local police brigade in Kaël, under the jurisdiction of the Touba gendarmerie company, arrested three men for trafficking, purchasing, possessing, and illegally transporting 8 kg of cannabis intended for resale. They are BS Diop, 23, a mechanic; G. Diop, 35, a baker; and F. Diouf, 26.

The brigade had received information that three individuals behaving suspiciously had taken a vehicle from a garage in Kaolack bound for Touba and were suspected of possessing marijuana. According to the source, the driver was unaware of their activities and was simply a taxi driver who had picked up the three passengers.

The gendarmes set up a checkpoint in the village of Darou Wahab, aiming to apprehend the suspects and seize the contraband. After waiting for several hours, they saw the vehicle approaching, the make and license plate of which had been provided to them. They ordered the driver to pull over to the side of the road so they could check the documents and verify the passengers' identities.

During the search of the vehicle, the police noticed that one of the passengers seemed unwell. A body search revealed 2 kg of cannabis, carefully concealed in his jacket. Inside the vehicle, they found another 6 kg of the same drug hidden in a bag discreetly placed in the trunk.

Seeing that they were about to be arrested, the suspects fled on foot. Thanks to the quick action of the police, assisted by the taxi driver who was unaware of the drug shipment, the fugitives were quickly apprehended. All of the cannabis (8 kg) was seized.

When questioned, the three men admitted to owning the seized drugs. They stated that they had bought them in Karang to sell them in Louga. According to investigators, these confessions establish their involvement in the purchase, possession, and transport of the drugs, as well as their intended commercial destination.

BS Diop, G. Diop, and F. Diouf were informed of their rights before being taken into custody for the purchase, possession, transport, and domestic trafficking of cannabis for resale. Following the proceedings, they were brought before the prosecutor at the Diourbel High Court, Amary Faye.

The taxi driver who was driving the suspects was cleared by the investigation and then released.