Kambia, Sierra Leone – Officials of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) have apprehended a young man at the Gbalamuya Border Checkpoint in Kambia for attempting to smuggle illegal drugs out of the country.
The operation, which took place at the border with a neighboring country Guinea, resulted in the interception of a vehicle with Guinean registration number BC 1785 and seizure of 79 Gross, 9 Small Packets and 9 Cards of tapentadol tablet (225mg). Also in his possession were 120 pieces of Samsung Galaxy A06, 5 pieces of A36, 5 pieces of A56 and 5 pieces of A26 summing up to 135 pieces of Android mobile phones.
The driver named Mohamed Jalloh confirmed that the vehicle was headed to Freetown. The successful interception was the result of heightened vigilance by the NRA to ensure every consignment entering the Border undergo thorough declaration and examination.
NRA Customs Officers acted on intelligence reports indicating a significant shipment of ’tramadol’ attempting to cross the border. Following the seizure, the contraband, suspect Mohamed Jalloh and the 135 pieces of Android Mobile phones which are dutiable items were handed over to the Local Unit Commander (LUC) of the Kambia Division, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Bob M.N. Mansaray for further investigation, ensuring that those responsible for this trafficking attempt would be held accountable.
NRA and other security agencies agreed that the 135 pieces of Android mobile phones will be returned to the Customs for declaration and payment of the required Duty as mandated by law.
While Tramadol is legal by prescription in many countries, its misuse has become a growing global concern, especially in parts of West Africa, including Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Ghana. Tramadol is often abused for its euphoric and sedative effects, particularly by youth and manual laborers, who use it to boost endurance or reduce fatigue and hunger.
In higher doses (such as 225mg and above), the drug can lead to:
* Addiction and dependence
* Mental health disorders
* Seizures
* Respiratory depression
* Cardiac arrest
Tramadol is prohibited without prescription in Sierra Leone. However, it continues to circulate on the black market, contributing to rising rates of drug abuse, mental illness, and crime. Law enforcement and health authorities have labeled it a major public health threat, prompting crackdowns and tighter border control to prevent its smuggling and distribution.
