Diourbel court sentences man to prison for drug possession in Mbacké

A 23-year-old man, S. F. Bèye, has been sentenced to four months in prison and fined 100,000 FCFA by the Diourbel flagrant offenses court following a drug arrest in Mbacké.

Bèye was apprehended on August 15 during a routine police patrol at the ‘Keur Marie’ bar after exhibiting suspicious behavior. A search revealed a wallet containing crack, skunk, and hashish. During his trial, the defendant claimed the narcotics belonged to his religious guide, or marabout. He testified that the religious leader had entrusted him with the wallet while sending him to the establishment to purchase alcohol, stating, ‘I could not refuse because he is my marabout and my friend.’

However, the defendant was unable to provide the court with the specific identity, phone number, or residence of the religious leader. While Prosecutor Papa Khalil Fall requested a one-year sentence, the judge reclassified the charges to possession for use and issued the four-month prison sentence and fine. The court also ordered the immediate destruction of the seized drugs.