By: Audrey Raymonda John
Forty-nine-year-old businesswoman Yama Kaprr Kamara and thirty-eight-year-old farmer Abu Conte made their first appearance before Magistrate Augustine Brima Samura at Pademba Road Court No. 8 on a charge of possession of a prohibited drug without lawful authority, contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drug Control Act 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Sunday, 27th April 2025, at Makondu Village, Lower Yoni Chiefdom, in the Tonkolili District of Sierra Leone’s Northern Province, the two accused were allegedly found in possession of sixteen compressed bales of cannabis sativa, without lawful authority.
When the charge was read and explained in court, no plea was taken.
Prosecuting officer, Inspector Aminata Korio, led the second prosecution witness, Detective Police Constable (DPC) 13716 Joseph Stevens, who is attached to the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) as a forensic analyst. He testified that his duties include analysing drugs and other chemical substances submitted for forensic evaluation and providing expert opinions.
He recalled that on 30th April 2025, Inspector Alpha Turay of the TOCU submitted a laboratory request form along with sixteen compressed parcels containing a loose quantity of dried leafy substance suspected to be cannabis sativa. The total weight of the suspected drug was 20.9 kilograms, allegedly seized from the accused persons at Makondu Village.
DPC Stevens stated that he conducted a presumptive analysis in the presence of the accused persons. He then collected samples from each parcel for further chemical and microscopic crystal examination in the laboratory. The tests confirmed the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component in cannabis.
He reduced his findings into a written report, which he signed and dated on 7th May 2025. The laboratory analysis request and report were produced and tendered in court as evidence and marked as Exhibit L.
The witness was cross-examined by K. Bangura Esq.
Due to the seriousness of the offence, Magistrate Samura denied bail and remanded the accused persons to the male and female correctional facilities in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to 9th July 2025.