3 arrested for deforestation

Following the arrest and sentencing of six people for the illegal felling down of trees at the Sibanor Forest Park by the Brikama magistrates court, another batch of three people was on Saturday arrested for the same offense at President Jammeh’s farm in Brufut.

The arrested persons are Saloum Ceesay, Alhagie Njie, and Alpha MK Leigh.  They were apprehended at the said farm and detained at the New Yundum Police Station where they are awaiting trial.

Confirming this story to the Daily Observer on Monday during an exclusive interview, the regional Forestry officer, Western Region, Abdoulie Sanneh, said that two of the accused persons, Saloum Ceesay and Alhagie Njie are to be charged under Section 109F of the Forest Act, while the third accused, Alpha MK Leigh, is to be charged under Section 108, sub-section (1).of the Forest act for illegal charcoal production.  He said that the three will appear in court on Tuesday at the Brikama Magistrates Court.

Mr Sanneh also sent a warning to those involved in illegal deforestation to desist from the act saying anybody caught would be shown no mercy.