The alleged circulation of counterfeit RR electrical cables in Sierra Leone has come under renewed scrutiny following a police operation at Golden Enterprise, a business located at 13A Regent Road, near Free Street Junction in Freetown, where over 70 cartons of suspected counterfeit electrical cables were recovered on Wednesday, 11 November 2026.
Golden Enterprise, reportedly owned by a Nigerian businessman identified only as Moses, attracted attention following the offloading of a 20-foot container reportedly containing suspected counterfeit RR electrical cables at its business premises.
The development came to the attention of SV Electrical, which is the sole authorized importer and distributor of genuine RR Cables in Sierra Leone. The company subsequently alerted the Sierra Leone Police, prompting officers to visit the premises on Wednesday, 11 November 2026.
During the operation, police officers reportedly recovered over 70 cartons of the suspected counterfeit electrical cables, which were subsequently transported to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters in Freetown for further investigation.
Information gathered by The Calabash Newspaper indicates that additional cartons believed to be part of the same consignment reportedly remained inside the store. Police officers returned to the premises on Thursday, 12 November 2026, to recover the remaining products, with the operation still ongoing at the time of publication.
The latest development has heightened concerns over the alleged importation and distribution of counterfeit RR-branded electrical cables through unauthorized channels, raising important questions about consumer protection, regulatory enforcement and public safety.
SV Electrical maintains that it has been the exclusive authorized importer and distributor of genuine RR Cables in Sierra Leone since 2019. The company has repeatedly expressed concern over the alleged importation and sale of imitation products bearing the RR trademark by businesses operating outside its authorized distribution network.
Beyond the commercial implications, the circulation of potentially substandard electrical cables presents serious public safety concerns. Electrical products that fail to meet established quality and safety requirements can increase the risk of overheating, short circuits, electrical faults and fire outbreaks, particularly when installed in residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
SV Electrical has also expressed concern that the circulation of suspected counterfeit products could undermine its business reputation and public confidence in the RR brand. The company fears that consumers who unknowingly purchase imitation cables could wrongly attribute subsequent electrical problems to SV Electrical, despite its position that it neither imported nor distributed those products.
The incident involving Golden Enterprise follows a series of investigative reports published by The Calabash Newspaper concerning the alleged importation and sale of suspected counterfeit RR electrical cables by businesses operating in different parts of Sierra Leone.
In June 2025, the newspaper reported allegations involving China Dasheng Company Limited, reportedly owned by a Chinese businessman identified as Jason, who was accused of importing suspected counterfeit RR cables. Police officers reportedly conducted an operation at his business premises, recovering 30 cartons of the suspected products. Jason was subsequently arrested and released on bail pending further investigation.
In August 2025, The Calabash Newspaper reported the arrest of Mohamed Barrie, owner of WOLABEH Enterprise at 38 (555) Old Road, Waterloo, following a police operation that reportedly uncovered a substantial quantity of suspected counterfeit RR electrical cables.
Another investigation published in May 2026 focused on Poor Nor Good Building Materials at Sussex, along the Peninsula. The proprietor, identified only as Abdul, was reportedly investigated following the discovery of suspected counterfeit RR cables at his business premises. Several rolls of the products were reportedly confiscated, while Abdul was invited to the Criminal Investigation Department for questioning and subsequently released pending investigation.
In September 2026, the newspaper published further investigative reports involving Peak Electrical/Electronic, a Nigerian-owned business reportedly operated by Ogha Toochukwu and Samuel, with its headquarters at 17 Regent Road, near Goderich Street in Freetown.
Those publications raised questions about the manufacturing origin, authenticity and distribution arrangements of RR-branded electrical cables reportedly marketed through the company’s outlets in Freetown, Bo and Kenema.
The successive incidents have brought renewed attention to the channels through which suspected counterfeit electrical materials enter Sierra Leone and potentially reach unsuspecting consumers. They also underscore the importance of effective collaboration among law enforcement agencies, regulatory institutions, importers and distributors in safeguarding consumers against potentially unsafe electrical products.
The latest police operation at Golden Enterprise, which reportedly resulted in the recovery of over 70 cartons of suspected counterfeit RR cables, raises further questions about the origin of the 20-foot container, the individuals responsible for importing the consignment, the documentation accompanying the shipment and the intended distribution channels.
Establishing the authenticity of the seized cables through independent technical examination, alongside verification of relevant importation documents, will be essential in determining whether the products meet applicable quality and safety standards.
While the circumstances surrounding the consignment remain subject to police investigation, the recovery of the suspected products highlights the need for stronger market surveillance, effective border controls and greater public awareness about the potential dangers of substandard electrical materials.
Golden Enterprise and its proprietor, Moses, must be afforded the opportunity to explain the origin of the consignment, provide relevant documentation and respond to the concerns surrounding the electrical cables recovered from the business premises.
The Calabash Newspaper will continue to monitor the investigation, seek responses from the parties concerned and report further developments in the interest of public safety, consumer protection and accountability.
