By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Sierra Leone Police (SLP), in collaboration with key security and regulatory institutions, on Friday 6 March 2026 destroyed a large consignment of seized narcotic drugs valued at more than NLe 1.6 million at the Headquarters of the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) in Hastings, Freetown.
The exercise formed part of ongoing national efforts to reinforce transparency, accountability and collective action in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime in Sierra Leone.
Addressing representatives of security institutions and members of the media who witnessed the exercise, Head of TOCU, CSP Rev. Michael Laggah, described the destruction of the drugs as a significant step in strengthening public confidence in the handling of narcotic exhibits seized during law enforcement operations.
According to him, the exercise goes beyond routine procedures and sends a strong message that Sierra Leone remains committed to confronting the growing threat of drug trafficking.
“This exercise is not simply administrative,” CSP Rev. Michael Laggah noted. “It is a clear statement that our country will not become a safe corridor for drug trafficking or any related criminal activities.”
He emphasized that the Sierra Leone Police and its partners remain determined to uphold the principles of transparency and the rule of law, particularly in ensuring that exhibits seized during investigations are handled responsibly and disposed of after due legal processes.
Delivering the keynote statement on behalf of the Director of Crime Services, Assistant Commissioner of Police Brima Kamara Esq. said the destruction exercise was partly organized in response to persistent public concerns about the fate of narcotic substances confiscated during police operations.
ACP Brima Kamara explained that the drugs slated for destruction had passed through the necessary legal and administrative processes, confirming that the value of the seized narcotics exceeds NLe 1,680,318.
He further highlighted the role of the Sierra Leone Police within the country’s criminal justice framework, noting that the institution remains responsible for the prevention and detection of crime, conducting investigations, charging suspects and supporting prosecutions in partnership with other relevant agencies.
“The police cannot fight this battle alone,” ACP Brima Kamara stated. “We continue to encourage members of the public to support law enforcement agencies by providing credible information that can help dismantle drug networks and other criminal activities.”
He also stressed the importance of strengthening policing strategies that align with national security objectives, noting that the fight against narcotics requires sustained collaboration across institutions and communities.
Representatives from several security and regulatory bodies were present at the exercise, including officials from the Office of National Security (ONS), the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), all of whom reiterated the need for stronger coordination in addressing drug-related threats.
Speaking during the event, NDLEA Director of Operations, Ibrahim Kargbo, recalled that in 2025 President Julius Maada Bio convened a high-level national security meeting focused on addressing the growing concerns surrounding narcotics trafficking and abuse.
He said that engagement led to the establishment of a specialized security task force tasked with disrupting drug supply chains and strengthening enforcement efforts aimed at curbing the inflow of illicit substances into the country.
Ibrahim Kargbo emphasized that the collaboration among security institutions demonstrates a unified national resolve to confront narcotics trafficking and protect communities from the devastating social and health consequences associated with drug abuse.
Providing technical insight into the exhibits, Head of the Sierra Leone Police Forensic Analysts, ASP Stevens, outlined the various types of narcotic substances seized during different operations across the country.
He disclosed that the confiscated drugs included cocaine in various forms, kush, marshmallow, ecstasy, cannabis sativa and several chemical substances commonly used in the manufacturing and distribution of illicit narcotics.
ASP Stevens explained that the destruction process followed strict forensic and safety protocols to ensure that the substances were disposed of in a controlled and environmentally safe manner.
The exercise culminated in the symbolic burning of the seized narcotics, carried out under the supervision of security officials and witnessed by members of the media.
Authorities say the exercise reflects the Government’s ongoing commitment to combating organized crime, safeguarding public health and strengthening the integrity of Sierra Leone’s criminal justice system in the fight against illicit drugs.
