By Amin Kef Sesay
In Kabala, Sierra Leone, the relentless efforts of the local police division, spearheaded by CSP Ibrahim Barrie, have led to significant strides in combating the proliferation of illicit substances, particularly ‘kush’. Following diligent surveillance, raids and subsequent arrests, the Legal & Justice Department has secured convictions against multiple suspects recently apprehended and brought before the courts.
Among those convicted is Ibrahim Sorie Kanu, a forty-three-year-old Deputy Head Teacher of the District Education Community (DEC) Primary School (Central), along with nineteen-year-old Yelie Conteh. Their arrest on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Rottom Mango Kabala, revealed possession of 11 wraps of kush, 2 wraps of cannabis sativa, and a packet of ‘rizla’ in a prohibited area.
Charged under Section 8(a) of the Pharmacy and Drugs Control Act 1988 for unlawful possession of cannabis sativa, Ibrahim Sorie Kanu faced trial before Magistrate Daboh.
After careful consideration of the evidence presented, Magistrate Daboh handed down a verdict, sentencing the Deputy Head Teacher to 8 months imprisonment. He was found guilty of unlawfully possessing prohibited substances (kush & cannabis sativa), frequenting areas notorious for illicit drug trade and consumption, among other related offenses.
Additionally, other accomplices in the case received varying sentences: Alie Sillah was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, Sahr Jeremiah Komba to 8 months, while Yatie Conteh and Poreh Sankoh received 1-month imprisonment each. The prosecution was led by Police Constable 14071 Mustapha Massaquoi, while A. T Jalloh-Esq represented the accused persons in court.
