A woman convicted of drug-related offences has been sentenced to 30 years imprisonment by the High Court of Sierra Leone after admitting to possessing and trafficking a large quantity of Cannabis Sativa.
Justice Andrew S.C. Johnson handed down the sentence against Isha Munu at the High Court in Freetown following her guilty plea to two charges under the National Drugs Control Act, 2008. The charges included unlawful possession of drugs and dealing in a prohibited substance.
Court records revealed that on 21 December 2025, at Mount Aureol in Freetown, Munu was found with 980 wraps of Cannabis Sativa weighing approximately 600.5 grams without lawful authority.
During mitigation, defence lawyer M.Y. Conteh appealed for a reduced sentence, informing the court that the accused had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, thereby saving judicial time and resources. Counsel further stated that Munu is a single mother responsible for the care of three children and had no previous criminal record.
Despite these submissions, Justice Johnson emphasized the seriousness of drug offences and the need for the courts to deter individuals involved in the illicit drug trade.
In his judgment delivered on 15 June 2026, the judge accepted the guilty plea and convicted the defendant on both counts.
He noted that while the plea demonstrated remorse and facilitated a swift conclusion of the matter, offences involving prohibited drugs continue to pose a significant threat to society.
The court sentenced Munu to five years imprisonment for unlawful possession of drugs and 30 years imprisonment for dealing in a prohibited drug. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning she will serve 30 years in prison. The sentence takes effect from the date she was first remanded in custody.
The prosecution was led by State Counsel A.I. Kamara on behalf of the State.
