Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, former presidential candidate and leader of Sierra Leone’s Alliance Democratic Party (ADP), has announced plans to expose an alleged major drug cartel operating within the country.
In a recent Facebook post, Mansaray stated, “I am going to expose the biggest drug scheme and cartel in SaLone. I will also expose those harboring and benefiting from the Drugs business in Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 Stay tuned 😭”
This declaration follows the arrest of 23-year-old Helen Conteh at her Rose Street, Kissy residence in Freetown. Conteh was found in possession of 340 wraps of Kush, 300 Tramadol tablets, over 22 million old Leones (Le22,000,000), and other narcotics. She is currently detained at the Kissy Police Station pending further investigation.
Mansaray has called on law enforcement to thoroughly investigate the sources supplying these drugs and urged Sierra Leonean youth to avoid illegal substances, citing their detrimental effects on mental health. He emphasized, “Brains that receive illegal drugs just once, can never go back to their normal state. Say No To Drugs! May God heal Sierra Leone. 🙏”
In a prior post, Mansaray criticized President Julius Maada Bio, accusing him of failing the nation and allowing Sierra Leone to become a hub for drug trafficking. He referenced a U.S. Department of State report highlighting issues of drug trafficking, money laundering, and corruption in the country.
Mansaray’s statements come after his recent release from Pademba Road Prison, where he was incarcerated following a conviction for sexual offenses involving a minor. In February 2023, he was sentenced to 32 years in prison after being found guilty of sexually exploiting a 15-year-old schoolgirl. His co-accused, the victim’s aunt, received a 15-year sentence. The case garnered significant public attention and divided opinions. After spending several years at the Pademba Road Correctional Centre, Mansaray was recently released from prison under unclear circumstances, reigniting his vocal participation in national issues
Mansaray, a psychologist by profession, founded the ADP in 2015 as a left-wing populist party opposing Sierra Leone’s two main political parties. He has been an outspoken critic of the country’s political elites and has previously run for parliamentary seats, though without success.
