In a decisive move against drug trafficking, the Sierra Leone Police, in collaboration with allied partners, set ablaze a substantial quantity of narcotics valued at over two hundred thousand United States Dollars.
The incineration took place on Saturday, April 20th, 2024, at the Transnational Organised Crime Unit Headquarters (TOCU), located at Rogbangba Junction/Hastings.
Addressing the media prior to the disposal, Mr. Andrew Jaiah Kaikai, Executive Director of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, refuted claims of Sierra Leone serving as a hub for drug trafficking, citing a lack of concrete evidence.
Kaikai emphasized the government’s commitment to combating the drug scourge, highlighting previous burnings of confiscated narcotics in February 2024.
Kaikai announced the establishment of a National Task Force led by Professor Sahr Foday and urged public cooperation in the anti-drug campaign.
Commissioner Joseph Ibrahim Lahai, representing the Inspector General of Police, underscored the police force’s dedication to eradicating narcotic drugs, emphasizing the threat posed to youth. Lahai urged international and local journalists to disseminate the message widely.
Dr. Ahmed Sannoh, Deputy National Security Coordinator, credited interagency cooperation for successes in drug enforcement.
The drugs slated for destruction were seized at various locations, including the Queen Elizabeth the II Quay.
The burning ceremony, which marked the culmination of the event, received significant support from Captain Alpha Jayah Bangura, the Quay’s Harbour Master, who highlighted international collaboration in intelligence sharing to combat drug trafficking.
