By: Audrey Raymonda John
Prosecution witness (PW) 3, Detective Sergeant 1027 Buya Abu Kamara attached to the Exhibits Officer at the Regional Ross Road Police Station, Harbour Division in Freetown has tendered several tablets and 389 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Kush.
Led in evidence by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Osman M. Bangura prosecution witness (PW) 3, Sergeant 10275 Kamara A.B attached to the Exhibit Office at the Regional Ross Road Police Station highlighted his duties and responsibilities including receiving all exhibits relating to matters that have been investigated, produced and tendered in court when the need arises.
Sergeant said he could recall 12th August 2023. While on duty at the said office, when Detective Sergeant 10617 Alie Siao attached to the Criminal Invrstgation Department (CID) at the aforesaid division in Freetown east, handed over to him the following items seven (7) cards of tramadols, two plastics contained substance suspected to be kush 389 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be kush, seventeen (17) packets of cigarette papers, and seven (7) pair of assorted scissors , a cash of NLe 21,000, ten cards of tramadols, sixteen (16) tablets tramadols, a cash of six hundred and fifty leones, (NLe650), eight cards tramadols, 1054 warps of substance suspected to be kush, a blue handle scissors and eight tablets of tramadols as exhibits.
Kamara said he registered them in the court Exhibit Book with serial number 157/2023.
Since then he said they have been in police custody which were produced and tendered in evidence.
During cross examination by defence counsel Alie Santos Sesay, representing first accused, Mohamed Colo Bah asked the witness when the exhibits were handed over to him.
Responding, Mr Kamara said they were handed over to him on 12th June, 2023.
Lawyer Sesay confronted the witness that neither of these exhibits tendered were identified to him which was answered in the affirmative.
He put it to him that in his evidence in chief, he told the court that the exhibits “B” were kush.
In response, the witness said it was based on the expert opinion he came to the conclusion that the said exhibit was kush.
Mr Sesay asked the witness if the exhibits were wrapped, responding the witness some of them were wrapped while some were not.
Magistrate Kekura denied the accused bail and remanded them at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown.
The accused, Mohamed Colo Bah and three other appeared before the court on a count charge of unlawful possession contrary to section 8 (a) of the National Drugs Act 2008 and other related offences.
The police say the first accused, Mohamed Colo Bah, on Tuesday 8th August, 2023 at No.88 Thunder Hill Road, Kissy Freetown,was found in possession of certain wraps of dried leaves suspected to be kush.
The charge sheet furthered that the second accused, Alfred Coker was found in possession 164 wraps of substance suspected to be kush.
The police say the third accused was also found in possession 16 tablets suspected to be tramadols.
Meanwhile, the matter was adjourned to 28th September, 2023 for further hearing.