Photo of Pablo Djabi, source Kerr Fatou
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Claim: The Gambia Leak, an online platform, claimed that Pablo Djabi, a Bissau-Guinean alleged drug trafficker, is roaming freely without facing arrest or detention after being raided by drug enforcement officials in July 2023.
Verdict: False. The claim that Pablo Djabi, a Bissau-Guinean alleged drug trafficker, is walking freely on the streets of Gambia without facing arrest, questioning, or detention following a raid by drug law enforcement officials since July 2023 is false. Evidence showed Pablo was arrested, charged, detained, and granted bail, and is constantly appearing in court for hearings.
Full Text
On November 19, 2025, The Gambia Leak, an online site with 5.7k likes and 6k followers, published a post claiming that Pablo Djabi, a Bissau-Guinean alleged drug trafficker, is freely walking on Gambian streets without facing arrest, questioning, or detention after being raided by drug law enforcement officials in July 2025.
The post included images of Pablo in a private jet and another photo of David, an American citizen recently detained for drug possession, stating:
“A 71-year-old David with a tiny joint faces prison, fines, threats, and humiliation. Pablo Djabi, a notorious drug dealer and trafficker of stolen cars and firearms from Guinea-Bissau’s nightclub, was raided with guns and narcotics since July. Yet, he is happily walking the streets and boasting about bribing top government officials and the drug squad,” the text stated. It continued: “Pablo faced no questioning, no arrest, no fear, just smiles and innocence.”
This post, which raised legal and ethical concerns, garnered 414 likes, 49 comments, and 12 shares at the time of the fact check.
It also questioned whether allowing individuals like Pablo to walk free is fair or just.
One commenter, Babucarr Baldeh, remarked, “Pablo pays the government; he gives money to the Gambian government.”
Pablo Djabi, a Bissau-Guinean national, has been facing 21 criminal charges related to money laundering and drug trafficking since 2023.
Given the potential for this claim to mislead and undermine the justice system, DUBAWA aims to investigate and clarify the facts surrounding Pablo’s case.
Verification
We first sought information regarding Pablo’s case online and through credible news sources in The Gambia, which indicated that he is currently facing criminal charges related to drug activities and money laundering between 2021 and 2023.
Arrest and Charges:
Pablo Djabi, along with three co-defendants, was initially arrested in September 2023 and faced 15 charges, including possession of prohibited drugs, drug dealing, and money laundering.
The charges were later amended and increased to 21 counts as the state’s case developed, and he was detained with co-defendants after the court granted a motion seeking their detention.
Ongoing court proceedings:
The case is currently ongoing in the High Court in Banjul, presided over by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh.
The prosecution has presented evidence, including analytical reports of seized drugs (NDMA and amphetamine), 13 vehicles, three motorbikes, and a jet ski, all allegedly acquired with illicit funds.
Bail and Re-arrest:
A magistrate’s court initially granted bail to Djabi and his co-defendants in September 2023, but they were controversially rearrested by the DLEAG shortly after their release.
This defiance of court orders led to a summons being issued to the DLEAG chiefs. He and his co-accused were later granted bail again by the High Court in December 2023.
Our fact checker was at the High Court in Banjul yesterday, November 20, 2025, and can confirm that the case is still in progress, as the prosecution nears the completion of its witness testimonies. Pablo Djabi and co were present at the court during the hearing.
The state witness, Saul Frazer, a real estate broker in The Gambia, is scheduled to testify before the court on 19 and 20 November 2025. He will testify regarding the purchase of three properties by Pablo Djabi through his company.
Conclusion
The claim by The Gambia Leak that Pablo Djabi, a Bissau-Guinean national facing trial on 21 criminal charges related to a 2021-2023 drug and money laundering case, is walking free without any arrest, questioning, or detention is false. The accused and co were granted bail while the case is still progressing in court and is nearing completion.
