By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu Bo City
Security forces in Sierra Leone’s Southern Region arrested suspects in possession of illegal drugs at major checkpoints in Bo on Sunday, 20th October 2024. These arrests aimed to crack down on drug trafficking as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the illegal drug trade across the country.
In a significant operation on Sunday night, Alhassan Koroma, a commercial driver from Murabi, Waterloo in Freetown, was apprehended at the Kebbie Town Snap Checkpoint while in possession of 6 grams of Tramadol, a controlled substance. Koroma, who initially denied knowledge of the package’s contents, claimed it was given to him by a lane leader whose identity remains undisclosed. The arrest was made possible through the collaboration between the Bo West Night Patrol Team and the officers at the Kebbie Town checkpoint.
On the same day, at the Fallah Checkpoint on the Bo-Taiama Highway, security personnel intercepted Fomba Swaray, a commercial driver from Brookville, Monrovia, who was found with six and a half parcels of Kush, a potent form of marijuana. Swaray, a frequent traveler between Monrovia and Freetown, was stopped and searched by vigilant security forces, leading to his arrest.
The previous day, on Saturday, 19th October, joint security teams stationed at the Jendema Customs Complex, part of the Mano River Division, made two additional high-profile arrests. Titty Tamba of Freetown and Nelly Shakey were apprehended as they attempted to smuggle a large quantity of Tramadol across the border into Liberia. The drugs were concealed in their personal belongings. In a related operation, Alhaji Mustapha Fofanah was arrested at the same checkpoint and found in possession of a large quantity of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa.
All suspects are currently held in custody, and investigations are ongoing under the supervision of the Transnational Organized Crime Unit at the Regional Police Headquarters South.
The success of these operations has drawn praise for Detective Police Constable Mohamed Patrick Ngobeh, who is known for his consistent arrests in drug-related offenses. Despite widespread rumors suggesting that Ngobeh relies on supernatural powers to track down suspects, he has credited his success to diligent police training and the strong leadership of Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Brima Kanneh, the Regional Police Commander for the Southern Region.
Under the command of AIG Kanneh, the Southern Region has witnessed a sharp decline in drug-related crimes, and his efforts have earned him recognition as a “Champion of the Fight Against Drugs” by key regional stakeholders. Detective Ngobeh, often working alongside military personnel like Corporal Kanu at the Fallah Checkpoint, is a critical member of the joint security team that continues to thwart illegal activities.
These recent operations underscore the effectiveness of the collaborative efforts between police and military personnel in curbing drug trafficking in the Southern Region. The authorities remain committed to dismantling the networks responsible for the illegal drug trade while also protecting Sierra Leone’s borders from the infiltration of illicit substances.
