By: Audrey Raymonda John
A South African national, Asandra Denise, has been sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment for the possession and trafficking of 365 pellets of cocaine at Lungi International Airport by Hon. Justice Johnson at the High Court in Freetown.
The defendant faced five counts, including unlawful possession of drugs, contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008), and dealing in prohibited drugs, contrary to Section 7(c) of the same Act.
According to the particulars of offence, on 6 November 2025, at Freetown International Airport in Lungi, North-West Region, Sierra Leone, the accused was allegedly found in possession of 365 pellets of cocaine weighing 5.4 kilograms without lawful authority.
Following the prosecution’s case, defence counsel I. Samba made a plea in mitigation, urging the court to temper justice with mercy and impose a minimum sentence on behalf of the defendant.
In his judgment, Justice Johnson stated that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. He noted that the prosecution called the lead investigator, the forensic analyst, and the exhibit clerk, whose testimonies confirmed that the accused was found in possession of 365 pellets of cocaine weighing 5.4 kilograms.
He further stated that forensic analysis confirmed the substance as cocaine hydrochloride, a prohibited drug, and that the exhibits were properly tendered with an unbroken chain of custody.
The judge also noted that the defendant elected not to testify, relying solely on her statement to the police. He found the prosecution’s witnesses credible and their evidence consistent and materially unshaken under cross-examination.
Justice Johnson said the defence’s denial was insufficient to displace the strong evidence presented by the prosecution. He therefore held that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
In sentencing, the judge considered the seriousness of the offences, the large quantity of cocaine involved, the threat posed by drug trafficking to public health and national security, and the need for deterrence. He also took into account that the defendant is a foreign national.
Balancing all the circumstances, Justice Johnson sentenced the defendant to 10 years’ imprisonment on count one (unlawful possession of drugs) and 30 years’ imprisonment on counts two to four (dealing in prohibited drugs). The sentences are to run concurrently.
The matter was prosecuted by I.A. Kamara on behalf of the State.