Freetown, Sierra Leone – January 22, 2026 – In a stern crackdown on drug trafficking, Justice Mark Ngegba of the High Court in Freetown has sentenced two Liberian women, Annet Maflah and Lovetta Maflah, to 35 years in prison each for their involvement in smuggling and dealing tramadol, a prohibited opioid painkiller.
The defendants, who appeared without legal representation, pleaded guilty to four counts under Sierra Leone’s National Drug Control Act of 2008. These included unlawful possession of prohibited drugs under Section 8(a), dealing in prohibited drugs under Section 7(a), and transporting prohibited substances.
Court documents revealed that on November 16, 2025, authorities apprehended the pair in Koidu Town, located in the Kono District of Sierra Leone’s Eastern Province. They were found in possession of 2,130 tramadol tablets, totaling 20.4 kilograms, without any legal authorization.
The indictment further alleged that the women had transported the drugs from Kenema to Koidu Town, highlighting a cross-district operation.
During the mitigation phase, both women expressed remorse and appealed for clemency. Lovetta Maflah, who is six months pregnant, emphasized their decision to plead guilty promptly, stating it had saved the court’s time and resources. Annet Maflah echoed similar sentiments, urging the judge to consider their personal hardships.
In his ruling on January 21, Justice Ngegba weighed the defendants’ pleas but underscored the broader societal harm caused by narcotics.
“While I note their specific circumstances, I will not lose sight of the fact that drugs have destroyed our youth in society,” he said. “In the circumstances, I hereby sentence the first and second defendants to a maximum jail term of 35 years on all four counts, to run concurrently.”
The concurrent sentencing means the women will serve a total of 35 years, rather than consecutive terms that could have extended far longer. Legal experts note that this case reflects Sierra Leone’s escalating efforts to combat the influx of synthetic opioids like tramadol, which have fueled addiction and crime among the nation’s young population.
This verdict comes amid a nationwide push by Sierra Leonean authorities to dismantle drug networks, often linked to cross-border smuggling from neighboring countries like Liberia.
The Maflah sisters have the right to appeal the sentence, but no immediate indications of such action were provided in court. The case serves as a warning to potential traffickers, signaling zero tolerance for drug-related offenses in Sierra Leone.
