By Audrey John
The accused on the above action, Marcel Okechuku Zoro, a Nigerian national was arraigned before the court for Preliminary Investigation on four count charges of importation of class A drugs without license contrary to section 45(b) 9f the Pharmacy and Drugs Act of 2001.
It was alleged on the police charge sheet that on Thursday 23rd December 2021 at the Queen Elizabeth Quay II Cline Town, imported thirty seven cartoons of tramadol hydrochloride (Labelled new royal 225mg tablets) weighed 744.5kg from India to Sierra Leone without license and lawful authority.
Led in his examination in chief by ASP C. Davis Cole,
Sergeant 9802 Pastor John Bangura attached to the transnational organized crime unit CID headquarters he recognized the accused person during cross examination by defense counsel Jessie M Jengo.
You recalled testifying in court yes, the document as exhibit B correct the witness said yes what’s exhibit B2 the witness said is Bill of Laden, Bill of laden is what shows the person who shipped and to whom it is shipped the witness said yes.
Can you tell this court who shipped as per that document. The witness said VIVID health care.
Is there a name on it the witness said Amadu Conteh, in the portion of the shipper yes, as per exhibit B2 consignee is who Amadu Conteh, as far as exhibit B2 the Bill laden concern the importation is done by Amadu Conteh, the witness said yes.
This the first time you have investigated matter concerning the water Quay, No. Over the years during the course of your investigation you came to understand that so many people put their goods in one cartoon, yes.
Since the inception of this matter the container possession of the water Quay I cannot tell, the accused person denied the allegation when they were put to him yes, and it was shipped by Amadu Conteh per the bill of laden Yes the subject matter was found yes, as far as this matter is concern was impartial you’re quite correct he conclude
Jessie M Jengo renewed his previous application for bail on behalf of the accused person.
However Magistrate Kekura refused bail and sent the accused person to the male correctional center in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to 16th March 2022 for further hearing.
