In a major anti-drug operation, sixteen individuals were brought before Magistrate Joseph Toby at the Sefadu Magistrate Court in Kono on charges related to the possession and consumption of kush, a local term for cannabis.
The court proceedings on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, saw thirteen men and three women either plead guilty or found guilty of their involvement in illicit drug activities.
Magistrate Toby delivered judgments for fifteen of the accused, reserving the case of Abduraman Bah, who has denied the allegations, for a future hearing. Notable sentences include 18 months imprisonment for Ramatu Sesay for possessing 28 wraps of kush, and a 20-month sentence for Annie Mondeh found with 36 wraps.
Abubakarr Kabia received a 14-month sentence for holding a smaller quantity of drugs.
Others, including Ali Sesay and Mohamed Kanessie, were offered the option of a 12-month jail term or to pay a fine of Nle 4,000.
A group of ten individuals caught frequenting a known drug spot were each sentenced to 11 months or a fine of Nle 3,000.
The arrests and subsequent charges come as part of ongoing efforts by the Motema Police Division, led by LUC Murana and his team, to combat the spread and influence of unlawful drug activities in the region. The local law enforcement continues to focus on community outreach and crackdowns to curb the use of illegal substances.
SLP Media Team reports that this crackdown is part of a broader, nationwide effort to address drug-related issues within communities, reinforcing the government’s stance on maintaining public safety and health.
