FREETOWN – Two Portuguese nationals, Sana Seidia and Samba Balde, have been remanded in custody after appearing before Magistrate Shar Kekura at Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown on charges of drug possession and transportation.
The accused were arrested on September 29, 2024, at Freetown International Airport, Lungi, allegedly in possession of eight compressed parcels of cocaine weighing 8.9 kilograms. They are facing four counts under Section 8(a) of the National Drug Control Act 2008.
During court proceedings, State Counsel I.A. Kamara presented Detective Police Officer 13716 Joseph Stevens, a forensic analyst with the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), as the first prosecution witness.
Stevens testified that on September 30, 2024, Inspector Steven Alpha Turay of TOCU submitted two separate samples of suspected narcotics for forensic analysis.
Stevens explained that a presumptive analysis, conducted in the presence of the accused, confirmed that both samples tested positive for cocaine hydrochloride. His findings were documented in a forensic report dated October 4, 2024, which was tendered in court as evidence.
According to the charges, Seidia and Balde were found in possession of and transporting eight compressed parcels of cocaine at Freetown International Airport on September 29, 2024. No plea was taken when the charges were read to them.
Following the hearing, Magistrate Shar Kekura denied bail and ordered that both accused be remanded at the Male Correctional Center in Freetown.
The case has been adjourned to April 2, 2025, as authorities continue their crackdown on drug trafficking in Sierra Leone.
