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APRIL 2025

VOlUME 04 ISSUE 04 APRIL 2025
The Economics of Drug Trafficking on Security in West Africa: an Overview of the Gambia
1Madun N. Marong, 2Ishaya Umaru Tanimu, 3Abubaccarr Kanagie
1BSc; MSc Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, The Gambia
2PhD University of The Gambia
3BSc., MBA., MSc Avenue de Miremont 461206 Geneva, Switzerland
DOI : https://doi.org/10.58806/ijsshmr.2025.v4i4n21

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ABSTRACT

Illicit proceeds from drug trafficking distort the economy to the detriment of legal businesses and markets. The objective of the study provides an in-depth analysis of the economic nature of drug trafficking in The Gambia. The study adopted the exploratory qualitative research design. This approach was used to examine how drug trafficking is an emerging national security threat to The Gambia. The study interviewed various government officials, including the Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia's Ministry of Health, the Financial Intelligence Unit, and a former drug trafficker using non-probability and purposive sampling methods. Primary data was collected through in-depth oral interviews, while secondary data was gathered from journal articles, newspapers, reports, national legal documents, and reputable websites. The Gambia and West Africa face a growing national security threat from drug trafficking, exacerbated by factors like poverty, unemployment, instability, corruption, and porous borders, affecting social, economic, environmental, health, and education sectors. The study revealed that both women and children are involved in the illicit drug trade. The study reveals that, aside from the economic benefits, drug trafficking poses not only a rising national security threat but also a global security threat.

KEYWORDS:

Drugs trafficking, The Gambia, Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Threat, security, national, West Africa

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