A South African national has been sentenced to a total of 130 years’ imprisonment after the High Court of Sierra Leone found her guilty of multiple drug-related offences involving the unlawful possession, importation and transportation of cocaine.
The sentence was handed down on Thursday, 18 June 2026, by High Court Judge, Honourable Justice Andrew S.C. Johnson, at the Main Law Courts Building in Freetown.
The convict, 37-year-old Asandra Denise, a resident of Nenvonds in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, was arraigned before the court on a five-count indictment comprising Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Drugs, Dealing in Prohibited Drugs, Collecting Prohibited Drugs, Importing Prohibited Drugs and Transporting Prohibited Drugs, contrary to the provisions of the National Drugs Control Act, 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008).
According to court records, Denise was arrested at the Freetown International Airport in Lungi after authorities discovered 365 pellets of cocaine weighing approximately 5.4 kilograms in her possession without lawful authority.
The accused pleaded not guilty to all charges when the matter was brought before the court.
During the trial, Forensic Toxicologist Joseph Lahai testified that two pellets containing white powder were selected as samples from the exhibits and subjected to laboratory analysis. He informed the court that the samples, weighing 10.5 grams, tested positive for traces of Cocaine Hydrochloride.
Counsel for the accused, Ibrahim Samba Esq., told the court that after consultations with his client and in the absence of defence witnesses, the accused elected to rely on the statement she had earlier made to the police.
The prosecution, led by I.A. Kamara Esq., called three witnesses, including the Forensic Toxicologist and the Exhibit Clerk, to establish its case. Upon the conclusion of the evidence, the prosecution informed the court that it was satisfied with the testimony presented.
“My Lord, having led all our witnesses, the Prosecution now wishes to tender the ex-officio information under the hand of the learned Attorney General pursuant to Section 153(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024 Act No. 8 of 2024,” Kamara submitted before closing the prosecution’s case.
Delivering his judgment, Justice Andrew S.C. Johnson stated that he had carefully evaluated all the evidence before the court and found the prosecution witnesses to be credible. He noted that their testimonies remained materially unshaken during cross-examination.
The judge further held that the accused’s denial was insufficient to challenge the weight of evidence presented by the prosecution.
“I am therefore satisfied that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt,” Justice Johnson ruled. “I find the Defendant guilty as charged on all five counts.”
The court subsequently sentenced Denise to 10 years’ imprisonment on Count One for Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Drugs and 30 years each on Counts Two, Three, Four and Five for Dealing in Prohibited Drugs, Collecting Prohibited Drugs, Importing Prohibited Drugs and Transporting Prohibited Drugs respectively.
Although the combined sentence amounts to 130 years, Justice Johnson ordered that all terms of imprisonment run concurrently, effective from the date the accused was first remanded in custody.
The court also ordered that the cocaine and all related exhibits be forfeited to the State. Justice Johnson further directed that the narcotic substance be destroyed in the presence of the appropriate authorities in accordance with the law.
The judgment marks another significant conviction in Sierra Leone’s ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and strengthen enforcement against transnational narcotics crimes.
