By: Problyn John Alpha
Impeccable information reaching this medium states that some people in possession with Sierra Leonean passports have been arrested at the Istanbul Airport in Turkey with at least six hundred kilograms of harmful drugs.
The Impeccable information maintained that the arrested harmful drugs include: Four hundred and sixty kilograms of kush, one hundred kilogram of cocaine, six kilograms of dried leaves suspected to be marijuana and five kilograms of tramadol.
According to reports, the said people and harmful drugs were arrested by the governor of Istanbul Airport Dr. A. Argan including the head of immigration and the chief security officer who jointly reported the matter to the Sierra Leone Ambassador to Turkey Mohamed H Kaisamba.
The Sierra Leonean ambassador wasted no time to visit the scene of crime to ascertain the allegations levelled on those arrested. Meanwhile, in audience with the Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Turkey, the Governor of Istanbul Airport maintained that since 2021 to date this was the highest quantum of drugs apprehended on people whilst on trafficking to Turkey.
The ambassador said the suspects are going to be thoroughly investigated and if found wanting they will face the full penalty of the law and therefore further advised the security personnel at both Lungi and Freetown Airports to ensure what he called a water tight security to address such menace which has the potential of putting the country into disrepute.
Ambassador Mohamed Kaisamba thanked the Turkish government through its security sector for arresting the suspects as their actions have the potential of denting the good image of the country, noting that Sierra Leone in every ways condemn such act and therefore noted that anyone found guilty must face the full penalty of the law.
He further noted that Sierra Leone has enjoyed strong bilateral ties with the Turkish government since 1979 and that nothing will disturb it.
Ambassador Kaisamba faithfully promised to relay the information to the Airport in Sierra Leone so that there will be a water tight security put in place to put an end to what he called international embarrassment.
Locals who spoke to A-Z have said that the matter must be investigated because the suspects were arrested in possession with Sierra Leonean national passports which acquisition by foreigners is very simple than when citizens need them.
They pleaded with the Turkish government to be professional whilst investigating the matter so that Sierra Leoneans traveling to that part of the world will not be faced with embarrassment.