By: Audrey Raymonda John
Umar Mansaray, a businessman, appeared before Magistrate Augustine Brima Samura at Pademba Road Court No. 8 on four charges. Two of the charges relate to the possession of prohibited drugs without lawful authority, while the other two concern the possession of substances used for manufacturing drugs, also without lawful authority.
According to the particulars of the offence, on *July 1, 2025*, at a police checkpoint in Bo, Southern Province, Freetown, the accused was found in possession of prohibited drugs without lawful authority.
In Count Three, it was stated that on July 22, 2025, in Waterloo, Western Area, Freetown, the accused was found in possession of precursor chemicals used for manufacturing drugs, without lawful authority.
Count Four indicated that, on the same date and location, Mansaray was found in possession of thirteen transparent plastic containers containing precursor chemicals used in drug manufacturing, again without lawful authority.
When the charges were read and explained, the accused did not enter a plea.
Inspector Aminata Korio led the third prosecution witness, Assistant Superintendent of Police Joseph Stevens, who is attached to the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) as a forensic analyst. His responsibilities include analyzing drugs and other chemical substances submitted for expert opinion.
Stevens recalled that on August 22, 2025, Inspector Steven Alpha Turay, also attached to TOCU, submitted to him a laboratory request form. The form indicated that Stevens should analyze several foreign substances, including transparent polythene bags containing dry leaves suspected to be drugs, two and a half nylon bags filled with loose dry leaves, suspected to be kush, two transparent plastic containers containing a liquid substance suspected to be a precursor chemical, and three transparent plastic containers with a liquid substance, also suspected to be precursor chemicals.
Stevens conducted a presumptive analysis of the exhibits in the presence of the accused. Samples were taken from each exhibit and sent for further examination at the laboratory. Stevens conducted both a chemical analysis and a microscopic crystal examination. The analysis revealed the following sample A: Positive for synthetic cannabinoid, sample B: Positive for synthetic cannabinoid, sample C: Positive for propane 2-1 and sample D: Positive for methanol.
A report was generated from the analysis, which was signed and dated on August 27, 2025. The report was submitted to the police and was later tendered as evidence in court. The prosecutor confirmed that she had closed her case.
Cecilia Peacock, Esq., the defense counsel representing Mansaray, stated that she relied on the accused’s own statement in the case.
Magistrate Samura delivered his ruling, stating that after reviewing the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defense, he found that the prosecution had provided sufficient evidence to commit the case to the High Court for further trial. As a result, Mansaray was not granted bail.