By: Saidu Jalloh
The Head of the Special Security Unit (SSU), Andrew Jaiah KaiKai, has announced significant progress in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse during the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press briefing.
KaiKai confirmed that the SSU was officially established on 1st November 2025, with a standing force of over 200 personnel drawn from the military, police, and the National Drug Law Agency (NDLA). The multi-agency team is tasked with supporting national law enforcement efforts to combat the growing drug crisis, particularly the spread of Kush.
Between 25th October and 3rd November 2025, the SSU conducted extensive operations across more than 90 communities in Freetown. This led to the arrest of 46 individuals — comprising 28 men and 18 women and the seizure of over 3,000 wraps of Kush, 63 wraps of hashish, and a large quantity of tramadol.
Mr. KaiKai described the operation as part of a wider national strategy to “clean the streets and restore public confidence,” noting that the SSU continues to receive intelligence support from local communities and district task forces.
He further encouraged citizens to use the toll-free line 117 to report any suspected drug-related activities, assuring the public of confidentiality and a swift response from the authorities.
“The fight against drugs is a shared responsibility,” KaiKai stressed. “We are determined to protect our youth and communities from the dangers of Kush and other harmful substances through coordinated enforcement and community partnerships.”
The SSU’s ongoing operations are part of the government’s broader crackdown on narcotics and substance abuse, in alignment with the National Task Force on Drugs and Substance Abuse.