By: Audrey Raymonda John
Forensic expert Joseph Stevens on Friday 3rd November 2023 testified before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba road court No.1 in Freetown against a Guinea national Sekou Tidiane Camera and Mabinty Sufiam Kargbo Aviation security worker at the Freetown International Airport.
They were alledged of transporting twenty four plastics of high risk drugs from Freetown to Philippines without lawful authority.
The accused persons were charged on six counts charges ranging Possession of high risk drugs without lawful authority contrary to section 8(a) of the national drugs control Act, 2008, transportation of high risk drugs without lawful authority contrary to section 7(b) of the national drugs control Act No 10 of 2008, Aiding and Abetting the transportation of high risk drugs, Obstruction of authorized person in the performance of functions , Failing to comply with the requirements made by an authorized person in the performance of his functions and Failing to disclose information required by an authorized person in the performance of his functions contrary to section 65(C)(ii) of the national drugs control Act,2008, Act No 10 of 2008.
According to the charge sheet, the first accused Sekou Tidiane Camara on Sunday 27th August 2023, at the Freetown International Airport Lungi, Kaffu Bullom chiefdom was found in possession of twenty-four (24) plastics sachets of Amphetamine a high risk drugs, without lawful authority.
It was further alleged on count two that the first accused on the same date and place transported twenty four (24) plastics sachets of Amphetamine, a high risk drug from Freetown for onward shipment to Manila, Philippines, without lawful authority.
Count three stated that the second accused Mabinty Sufian Kargbo between Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th August 2023, at Freetown International Airport aided and abetted Sekou Tidiane Camara in the transportation of twenty-four (24) plastics sachets of Amphetamine a high risk drug from Freetown for onward shipment to Manila, Philippines.
The police further alleged that Mabinty Sufian Kargbo on Saturday 26th August 2023, at the Freetown International Airport obstructed police corporal 14366 Peter Sheku Konneh in performance of his functions at the main entrance of the Freetown International Airport Lungi
It was also alleged that the first accused Sekou Tidiane Camara on the same date and place failed to comply with the requirements made by Police Corporal 14366 Peter Sheku Konneh in performance of his functions at the main entrance of the Freetown International Airport, Lungi.
Whiles counts six added that the Sekou Tidiane Camara on the same date and place failed to disclose information required to the same police in the performance of his functions at the main entrance of Freetown International Airport, Lungi.
Inspector Mabel M Tarawalie lead Prosecution witness number three Joseph Stevens a Forensic expert said he recognized the accused persons in the dock.
He recalled on Wednesday 30th August 2023 whilst on duty at the forensic unit at the Criminal Investigation Department he received twenty one sachets of substance suspected to be hard drugs each Weight 1.5 kilograms with total of 36 kilograms that was received from the accused persons.
The witness said he collected samples from each substance which was submitted to him he conduct medical examination in the lab, the witness said during that the samples were positive Amphetamine, he concluded.
Prosecution witness number four Sergeant 8310 Lawrence Lansana attached to transnational organised crime unit TOCU as an invitation, said he recognized the accused persons in the dock he recalled on the 29th August 2023 whilst on duty at the said office Sergeant 17754 Koroma A received a transfer case and inquiry files from Lungi police division which contains statement from the accused persons since then the statement has been in the custody of the police.
Meanwhile Magistrate Ngegba in delivering his ruling said the police had adduced sufficient evidence in order to warrant a committal of the matter to High Court.
The matter was committed and both accused persons was sent to the male and female correctional center in Freetown Inspector Mabel M Tarawalie is prosecuting the matter.
