Police officers on routine patrol have arrested a female suspect in possession of 107 wraps of suspected kush at Talia Torgboma Village in the Kenema District.
Hawa Bockarie was taken into custody on Tuesday, 17th February 2026, following a lawful stop and search conducted by officers on duty in the area, according to a statement from the Sierra Leone Police Media East.
The operation was carried out by D/Sgt. 9612 Massaquoi A.Y., D/PC 14932 Joseph R.N., and D/PC 19300 Vandi B.M., whose coordinated efforts led to the safe arrest of the suspect and the recovery of the exhibits without incident.
Upon discovery, the suspected wraps of kush were immediately secured and documented in line with standard police procedures for evidential purposes.
Bockarie has since been conveyed to the Kenema police station, where she remains in lawful custody assisting with investigations. Police officials confirmed that the recovered exhibits will be subjected to further examination, and upon completion of investigations, the suspect will be charged in court accordingly.
The Sierra Leone Police reaffirmed that the arrest underscores their commitment to intensifying efforts against drug-related crimes and protecting communities from the dangers associated with illicit substances across all thirteen chiefdoms in the Kenema Division.
2026.2.17 Alleged Police Assault on Edwina Jamiru Sparks Public Concern
Allegations have emerged that political activist Ms Edwina Hawa Jamiru was assaulted by officers of the Sierra Leone Police, reportedly leaving her unconscious and sparking public concern over the conduct of law enforcement.
According to claims circulating on social media and among her supporters, the incident occurred during an encounter with police officers. It is alleged that Ms Jamiru was beaten while in police custody, although the exact circumstances leading to the confrontation remain unclear.
The incident has drawn attention to the leadership of Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, with some supporters questioning the actions of officers under his command. However, the police have not yet issued an official statement confirming or denying the allegations.
Supporters of Ms Jamiru have condemned the alleged assault, describing it as a violation of her rights and calling for a full and transparent investigation into the matter. Some women’s groups and political activists have also expressed solidarity with her, urging authorities to ensure accountability.
The alleged incident has further fueled debate about police conduct and the treatment of political activists in Sierra Leone.
As of now, Ms Jamiru’s condition and whether any formal complaint has been filed remain unknown.
A joint team of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) has arrested a man in possession of a large quantity of suspected Free Healthcare drugs at the Mile 38 checkpoint in Masiaka Division.
The operation, conducted on 14 February 2026, forms part of ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and other illegal activities along major transit routes.
The team, led by Superintendent Foday Sorie Fofanah, apprehended Amadu Koroma, a resident of Masumana Village, Koya Chiefdom, Port Loko District.
According to security officials, the suspect was found with a substantial quantity of drugs believed to be part of the Government’s Free Healthcare programme. Some of the medicines were reportedly expired at the time of seizure.
During preliminary questioning, the suspect admitted ownership of the drugs.
Both the suspect and the recovered exhibits have been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.
Police officers at the Maforkie Checkpoint have intercepted a vehicle transporting suspected cannabis sativa and arrested two individuals in connection with the seizure.
The incident occurred today, 6 February 2026, when a vehicle with registration number AVE 473, travelling from Freetown to Kambia, was stopped for routine checks. The driver, identified as Abu Bakarr Kamara of Waterloo, was found in control of the vehicle at the time of interception.
A thorough search reportedly led to the discovery of 21 parcels of suspected cannabis sativa concealed in the vehicle. Following the discovery, Anita Koroma of Peninsula Road, Waterloo, was arrested in connection with the suspected drugs.
Both suspects, along with the recovered exhibits and the vehicle, have been taken to the Port Loko Police Station where investigations are ongoing.
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The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) have announced the arrest of seven notorious armed robbers in connection with a deadly attack on a fuel station in Makeni, as part of ongoing operations targeting violent criminals and drug dealers. The announcement was made during the police’s weekly press briefing on Thursday, February 5, 2026.
According to the police operations team, the suspects are allegedly responsible for the attack on SS Loge Fuel Station in Makeni, which occurred on January 12, 2026, around 7 p.m. During the attack, gunmen opened fire on the fuel station, resulting in the death of one attendant.
The arrests were made following extensive police raids and investigations. During the operations, law enforcement officials recovered various weapons from the suspects, including a cutlass, a firearm, a hoe, and other items believed to have been used in criminal activities.
Police further disclosed that among those apprehended were women who were also involved in drug dealing, highlighting the combined focus of the operations on armed robbery and narcotics offenses.
“The Sierra Leone Police remain committed to ensuring public safety,” the force stated, emphasizing that the case is still under investigation to ensure all individuals involved are brought to justice.
In a separate update, the police also provided information on a recent incident in which a young man, mistakenly accused of theft, was beaten and later died. Investigators currently have three suspects in custody as they continue to probe the circumstances surrounding his death.
The SLP reiterated its determination to combat violent crime and maintain law and order across the country, calling on members of the public to provide information that could aid ongoing investigations.
The Sierra Leone Police in Kenema have arrested two individuals for the alleged illegal possession of suspected Kush as part of ongoing operations to curb drug trafficking and abuse within the municipality.
According to police sources in the Kenema Division, the arrests were made on Thursday, 29 January 2026, during separate operations carried out by divisional police officers under a sustained campaign to disrupt the sale and distribution of illicit drugs, particularly suspected Kush.
In the first incident, which occurred at about 3:20 p.m., the Kenema Division Operations Officer, Inspector M. S. Conteh, and his team arrested Wuyeah Kamara at his residence at No. 39 Blama Road in Kenema.
The operation was conducted under the command of the Local Unit Commander, Chief Superintendent of Police Emmanuel Kpulun. Police said that twenty-one wraps of suspected Kush were recovered during the arrest.
Earlier the same day, at about 10:30 a.m., Police Corporal 11546 Koroma Augustine and his team arrested another suspect, Ansu Boima, popularly known as “Governor,” in the I.D.A Section of Kenema. Police sources said that forty-four wraps of suspected Kush were recovered from the suspect during the operation.
Police described the arrests as part of the Kenema Division’s intensified efforts to suppress drug-related criminal activities in the city.
Both suspects are currently in police custody, while investigations continue at the Transnational Organized Crime Unit to establish the full circumstances surrounding the possession of the substances and to determine whether the suspects are linked to a wider distribution network.
The Sierra Leone Police reiterated its commitment to ensuring public safety and combating drug abuse and related crimes. The police also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting law enforcement efforts by providing timely and credible information to help address the growing threat of illegal drugs in communities.
2026.1.30 The High Court in Sierra Leone will hear a Murder case involving Joseph Lamin Steven, a soldier accused of killing his superior officer during a dispute over $100 at the Presidential Lodge, Freetown International Airport, Lungi.
The case was transferred from Freetown Magistrate Court No. 1 on 28 January 2026 after Principal Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah ruled that the matter warranted a High Court trial. The alleged incident occurred on 26 November 2026 and resulted in the death of senior officer Moses Brima Kabba.
Steven is charged under Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act, 1861, as amended by the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act, 2021, which prescribes life imprisonment upon conviction.
2026.1.23 Man Arrested For Illegal Entry Into Sierra Leone
A 21-year-old Nigerian national, Ibrahim Bello, is currently in police custody after being charged with illegally entering Sierra Leone without a valid permit, a court in Freetown has been told.
Bello, an unemployed resident of Lagos, Nigeria, is scheduled to appear before Magistrate Salamatu A. Jalloh at the Pademba Road Court No. 8, where he faces two counts under the Non-Citizen (Registration, Immigration, and Expulsion) Act.
The charges include entering Sierra Leone without a permit, contrary to Section 16(1) of the Act of 1964 (Act No. 14 of 1965), and willfully disregarding obligations imposed under Section 18 of the same legislation, contrary to Section 36(c).
According to court records, the accused was apprehended on Monday, 29 December 2025, at Tombo Wharf, off Waterloo in the Western Area of Freetown, while allegedly entering the country without a reasonable explanation for his visit and without the requisite immigration permit.
Police further alleged that Bello deliberately failed to comply with the obligations set out in the Registration, Immigration, and Expulsion Act of 1965.
During the proceedings, the prosecution informed the court that the accused remains in police custody and assured the bench of his availability at the next hearing.
Magistrate Jalloh adjourned the matter to 26 January 2026 for further hearing.
2026.1.22 Two Liberian Women Sentenced to 35 Years Each for Drug Trafficking in Sierra Leone
The High Court in Freetown has sentenced two Liberian nationals, Annet Maflah and Lovetta Maflah, to 35 years’ imprisonment each after they pleaded guilty to charges of drug dealing and transportation in Sierra Leone.
The sentences were handed down by Justice Mark Ngegba following the women’s appearance before the court on four counts of unlawful possession of drugs, contrary to the National Drug Control Act of 2008 and related laws. The charges stemmed from their arrest on November 16, 2025, in Koidu Town, Kono District.
According to court records, the two women were apprehended while transporting a large quantity of tramadol tablets from Kenema to Koidu Town. Upon their arrest, law enforcement officers recovered 2,130 tramadol tablets weighing approximately 20.4 kilograms. The drugs were found in their possession without lawful authority.
Both defendants appeared in court without legal representation and pleaded guilty to all four counts. During mitigation, Lovetta Maflah, who is six months pregnant, appealed to the court for leniency on humanitarian grounds. Annet Maflah did not present any additional plea in mitigation.
In delivering his judgment, Justice Ngegba acknowledged the guilty pleas, noting that they saved the court valuable time and resources. However, he emphasised the serious social consequences of drug trafficking, particularly its impact on young people in Sierra Leone.
“While I acknowledge their circumstances, I will not overlook the fact that drug abuse has devastated many lives in our society,” the judge stated.
Justice Ngegba subsequently sentenced each woman to 35 years’ imprisonment on all four counts, with the sentences to run concurrently. He explained that the penalty reflected the gravity of the offence and the harm caused by the trafficking and distribution of illicit drugs.
The ruling underscores the judiciary’s firm stance on drug-related offences and serves as a warning to individuals involved in the trafficking of controlled substances that such crimes will attract severe punishment under Sierra Leonean law.
A joint team of police officers and the National President of Traditional Healers, Sheku Tarawallie, on Sunday 16th November 2025, arrested Sheku Dabor, a native traditional healer residing at Limba Corner, 4 Mile, Newton, for unlawful possession of firearms and other suspicious items.
The operation formed part of a coordinated random search on native traditional healers across Freetown-West and Freetown-East, following suspicions that some practitioners may be engaged in illicit activities. During the search at Dabor’s residence, a Glock 17 pistol with approximately eight bullets, a communication handset, and a red beret cap were found.
The suspect was immediately taken into custody and is currently assisting the police with further investigations into the matter.
Makeni, Sierra Leone — Friday, 31st October 2025:
A joint team of police personnel from the Makeni and Panlap Divisions, supported by regional headquarters officers, has conducted a massive drug raid across the city of Makeni and its environs, rescuing 123 drug addicts and transferring them to a rehabilitation centre along the Makeni–Kabala Highway.
The operation, led by Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Victor Manfred Williams, was carried out in collaboration with the Mayor of Makeni City Council, Abu Bakarr Lamtail Kamara, and local youths. The initiative targeted users and dealers of harmful substances such as Kush, Tramadol, and Cannabis Sativa.
According to Sahid Arene Kabia (Gaza), Head of the Action for Rehabilitation Centre in Makeni, the move complements the government’s ongoing efforts to combat narcotic drug abuse that continues to destroy the lives of many young Sierra Leoneans. He commended the police, the Mayor, and the youth for their collective effort and called for broader community collaboration in the national fight against drugs.
Addressing the rescued victims at the Rogbaneh Police Station, AIG Williams assured them of the Sierra Leone Police’s continued commitment to protecting lives and helping drug users regain their health through rehabilitation rather than punishment.
Freetown, Sierra Leone – Friday, 31st October 2025:
In a renewed effort to combat the growing menace of narcotic drug trafficking and abuse, the Calaba Town Police Division has recorded another major success in its anti-drug operations.
Acting on credible intelligence, the Officer Commanding Calaba Town Police Station, ASP Saccoh Kabbie Kharr, led a team of officers on a targeted raid at Faynkray Street, Calaba Town, where they arrested one Osman Kamara, a resident of Osman Lane in the same community.
During the operation, police recovered six hundred and twenty-eight (628) wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Kush, a synthetic drug wreaking havoc among youths in Sierra Leone
The suspect and the exhibits are currently in police custody as investigations continue.
This latest arrest underscores the Sierra Leone Police’s commitment to intensifying its crackdown on drug-related crimes and ensuring community safety.
2025.10.30 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 Cocaine 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 cocaine.
(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.
2025.10.25 Confusion as Elderly Woman Arrested With Kush in Makeni Fails to Appear in Court
Controversy has arisen over the status and location of Ya Kadiatu Barrie, an elderly woman arrested in Makeni this week for alleged unlawful possession of narcotic substances, including kush and tramadol.
According to Awareness Times Newspaper, Barrie failed to appear before the Makeni Magistrate Court yesterday, Thursday, October 23, 2025, despite an earlier update from the Police North East Media team stating she was expected to be arraigned.
When contacted for clarification on the suspect’s whereabouts, the Police North East Media team stated that Barrie had been transferred from Makeni in the early morning hours of Thursday and ostensibly sent to Freetown’s Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU).
However, the then-Head of TOCU, Police Chief Superintendent Mohamed Kugba Allieu, contradicted this report during a phone interview, stating that the suspect was “not in Freetown as we speak” as of Thursday afternoon.
The conflicting statements from TOCU and the police media unit have done little to clarify the suspect’s current location or the stage of the investigation.
Police Spokesman and Head of the Police Media and Public Relations Unit, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Brima Kamara, later confirmed that the case had indeed been handed over to TOCU for further investigation, describing it as a routine process for drug-related offenses.
ACP Kamara explained that such transfers from Makeni to Freetown are standard practice and that the determination to charge Barrie will eventually be made by the Law Officers Department once the Case and Enquiry File is submitted.
Regarding the missed court appearance in Makeni, ACP Kamara noted that since the offense cannot be tried summarily, the new Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) permits committal proceedings in or by any Magistrate Court in Sierra Leone.
The official Sierra Leone Police social media accounts have not publicly updated on this specific drug-related matter, despite its wide circulation across various media and blogging platforms.
2025.10.23 Guinean Woman Arrested with 91 Parcels of Suspected Cocaine at Sierra Leone–Liberia Border
In a major success in the fight against transnational drug trafficking, Customs officers of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) stationed at the Jendema Border Crossing between Sierra Leone and Liberia have arrested a Guinean woman in possession of 91 parcels of a substance suspected to be cocaine.
The arrest took place on October 23, 2025, following heightened vigilance and intensified inspection operations led by Mujiru I. I. Kallon, Manager of the Customs Services Department at Jendema Border Crossing Point and Head of Border Operations for Sierra Leone.
The suspect, identified as Laurancia Kolie, holder of Guinean passport number 005017470, was intercepted at the customs checkpoint after reportedly passing through several security controls along the route. During the final inspection by NRA Customs personnel, officers discovered a substantial quantity of suspected narcotics carefully concealed among her personal belongings.
Following the discovery, both the suspect and the seized exhibits were immediately handed over to the Mano River Police Division for further investigation and prosecution in accordance with Sierra Leonean law. Authorities say the seizure underscores the NRA’s unwavering commitment to combating drug trafficking, enforcing customs regulations, and safeguarding Sierra Leone’s territorial borders from criminal exploitation.
Commenting on the successful operation, customs officials at Jendema commended their team’s professionalism and vigilance, emphasizing that such actions demonstrate Sierra Leone’s zero-tolerance approach toward illicit drug trade and smuggling activities.
Border management agencies, including the NRA, have reaffirmed their resolve to maintain strict surveillance and enforcement measures across all official entry and exit points, ensuring that drug traffickers and smugglers are intercepted before reaching the country’s interior.
This latest arrest adds to a series of coordinated operations being carried out by security and border enforcement agencies in line with the government’s broader strategy to protect public health, enhance national security, and disrupt cross-border criminal networks. The suspect, Laurancia Kolie, remains in custody while investigations continue to determine the source and destination of the intercepted substance.
2025.10.8 Calaba Town Community Demands Justice After Man Beaten to Death Over Alleged Fuel Theft
Calaba Town Community Residents of the Calaba Town community are calling for justice after a man identified as Alieu was allegedly beaten to death by his co-workers over accusations of stealing a five-gallon container of fuel (locally called “one bata fuel”)
According to eyewitness accounts, Mr. Mohamed Barrie, a resident, said he witnessed the incident around 1:00 a.m. but chose not to intervene out of fear of being implicated. He stated that he saw five people, along with a driver making a total of six suspects involved in the brutal act.
Another resident, Mr. Alie Koroma, who later accompanied some of the suspects to the Waterloo Police Station, said he received a call around 7:00 a.m. from Mr. Sawaneh, the fuel manager, inquiring whether he knew anything about the matter. Unfortunately, by that time, Alieu had already died.
Following the incident, company representatives, including the HR personnel, met at Allentown Junction before proceeding to the Waterloo Police Station, where they provided statements.
The victim’s body was later transported to the 34 Military Hospital in Wilberforce with police assistance.
Mr. Koroma further explained that two companies are linked to the case one reportedly operating under Orange (IPT) and Angel Security. Two of the suspects allegedly work for IPT, while the driver, said to be directly involved, is employed by Angel Security.
He also confirmed that three suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing, and a postmortem examination has been conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
The Chief Executive Officer of Angel Security, Mr. Conteh, reportedly owns the vehicle that was allegedly used during the incident.
Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing as the community and family members continue to demand justice for the late Alieu.
Three people were found dead in a house at Hastings in the Western Rural District of Sierra Leone on September 25th, 2025. The three corpses include a mother, daughter and grandchild.
Reports indicated that the sad incident came to the fore after a relative of the deceased (a son to the mother), who went to visit them, found out that they were dead.
Family, friends and community members are still in amazed as the cause of the death is still unknown.
As emotions remain high among the community, final respect were given to the corpses before they were finally laid to rest at the Hastings Cemetery, Western Rural District.
As some members of the community were left asking questions, police are currently investigating the incident and promised to provide update as soon as possible.
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