01/11/2025
SLP Steps Up War on Drugs — 130 Suspects Arrested in Nationwide Crackdown.
Freetown, Sierra Leone — Wednesday, 29th October 2025:
The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has intensified its nationwide fight against drug trafficking and abuse, resulting in the arrest of 130 suspects and the seizure of large quantities of suspected narcotic substances across the country.
This development was disclosed during the SLP’s weekly press briefing held at the Senior Police Officers’ Mess, Kingtom, where the Head of the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU), Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Michael J. K. Laggah, provided detailed updates on recent operations.
According to Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Dr. John Martin Senesie, the coordinated raids and checkpoint operations conducted between 20th and 26th October 2025 formed part of an ongoing national campaign to dismantle drug supply networks and bring traffickers to justice.
He emphasized that the SLP’s strategy combines strong enforcement with community engagement, adding that while arrests and prosecutions are crucial, public education and collaboration remain equally vital in curbing the growing menace of drug abuse.
The operations yielded significant results, including several high-profile arrests:
1. Kadiatu Barrie Arrested in Makeni
On Monday, 20th October 2025, at No. 7 Lawyer Street, Makeni, one Kadiatu Barrie was arrested with fifty-five (55) tablets of Tramadol and twenty-five (25) wraps of substances suspected to be Kush.
(Case awaiting legal advice.)
2. Abdul Akim Bangura Arrested in Kambia
On Tuesday, 22nd October 2025, at Rogbere Police Checkpoint, Kambia District, Abdul Akim Bangura was intercepted with 1,327 strips of tablets suspected to be Tramadol.
(Case awaiting legal advice.)
3. Guinean National Nabbed with Co***ne at Jendema Border
On Thursday, 23rd October 2025, Laurencia Kollie, a Guinean national, was arrested at the Gendema Customs Police Checkpoint, Pujehun District, with ninety-one (91) pellets of substances suspected to be co***ne.
(Awaiting forensic analysis and report.)
4. Major Kush Seizure in Makeni — Marie Keita in Custody
On Sunday, 26th October 2025, at No. 4 Congo Town Road, Makeni, Marie Keita was arrested with 200 wraps of shredded leaves suspected to be Kush, three half-filled black polythene bags containing similar substances, one half-filled bag containing green leaves suspected to be marshmallow, and one black electronic scale.
(Awaiting forensic analysis and report.)
5. Ibrahim Kamara Arrested in Makeni
On the same day, at No. 4 Campbell Street, Makeni, Ibrahim Kamara was arrested with sixteen (16) wraps of shredded leaves suspected to be Kush.
(Awaiting forensic analysis and report.)
Police data revealed that 174 drug raids were conducted nationwide during the reporting period, resulting in the arrest of 130 suspects. Of these, 51 have been charged to court, while 79 remain under investigation.
AIG Senesie commended all officers involved in the successful operations and reaffirmed the SLP’s commitment to sustaining the war on drugs through both hard and soft approaches.
He explained that the hard approach involves detection, arrest, investigation, and prosecution, while the soft approach focuses on community sensitisation, public education, and media engagement.
The Sierra Leone Police continues to encourage citizens to report drug-related activities within their communities and to support law enforcement efforts aimed at safeguarding public health and safety.
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