By: Audrey Raymonda John
High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Andrew S.C. Johnson, has sentenced a 37-year-old South African national, Asandra Denise, to a total of 130 years’ imprisonment after finding her guilty of unlawful possession, dealing, collecting, importing, and transporting cocaine without lawful authority.
Asandra Denise, a resident of Nenvonds in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, was arraigned before the High Court on a five-count indictment comprising Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Drugs, Dealing in Prohibited Drugs, Collecting Prohibited Drugs, Importing Prohibited Drugs, and Transporting Prohibited Drugs, contrary to Sections 8(a) and 7(b) and (c) of the National Drugs Control Act, 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008).
According to the particulars of the offence, the accused was arrested at the Freetown International Airport in Lungi, North-West Sierra Leone, after she was found in possession of 365 pellets of cocaine weighing approximately 5.4 kilograms without lawful authority.
The accused pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During the trial, Joseph Lahai, a Forensic Toxicologist, testified that two pellets containing a white powdery substance were selected as samples from the exhibits for laboratory examination. The samples, weighing a total of 10.5 grams, were analyzed and tested positive for Cocaine Hydrochloride.
Representing the accused, Ibrahim Samba Esq. informed the Court that, after consultations with his client and in the absence of defence witnesses, the accused elected to rely on the statement she had made to the police.
The Prosecution called three witnesses, including the Forensic Toxicologist and the Exhibit Clerk, and subsequently informed the Court that it was satisfied with the evidence presented.
“My Lord, having led all our witnesses, the Prosecution now wishes to tender the ex-officio information under the hand of the learned Attorney General pursuant to Section 153(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024 (Act No. 8 of 2024),” Prosecutor I.A. Kamara Esq. submitted before formally closing the Prosecution’s case.
In delivering judgment, Hon. Justice Andrew S.C. Johnson stated that he had carefully considered all the evidence before the Court and found the Prosecution witnesses to be credible and their testimonies materially unshaken during cross-examination.
The Judge held that the accused’s denial was insufficient to rebut the strong and compelling evidence presented by the Prosecution.
“I am satisfied that the Prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt,” Justice Johnson ruled. “I therefore find the Defendant guilty as charged on all five counts.”
The Court sentenced the accused as follows: Count One -Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Drugs: 10 years’ imprisonment; Count Two – Dealing in Prohibited Drugs: 30 years’ imprisonment; Count Three – Collecting Prohibited Drugs: 30 years’ imprisonment; Count Four – Importing Prohibited Drugs: 30 years’ imprisonment; and Count Five – Transporting Prohibited Drugs: 30 years’ imprisonment.
Justice Johnson further ordered that all sentences run concurrently and take effect from the date the accused was first remanded in custody.
The Court also ordered that the cocaine and all related exhibits be forfeited to the State and directed that the narcotic substances be destroyed in the presence of the appropriate authorities.
The conviction represents another significant outcome in Sierra Leone’s ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and transnational organized crime through the enforcement of the country’s anti-narcotics laws.