By Audrey Raymonda John
The Executive Director of the Citizen’s Right Network Sierra Leone (CRN-SL), Bai Koroma, addressed a conference on Wednesday, the 13th of March 2024, at his office located on Goderich Street, Freetown. He expressed dismay over reports circulating on social media regarding 19 cartons of Tramadol drugs missing from the Water Quay, prompting immediate investigation by the organization.
Koroma stated that CRN-SL approached Supervisor Umaru Maddieu Kanneh of the Customs Department at Water Quay, who had been implicated in the incident. However, their investigation revealed that Kanneh had actually halted the container from leaving the quay based on received intelligence.
According to Koroma, Kanneh wasted no time in alerting several security institutions, including TOCU, ONS, Pharmacy Board, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Police, and Sierra Leone Ports and Harbor Authority, for a 100% physical examination of the container. The examination revealed various items, including 35 cartons of Pregabalin 75 milligram, 67 cartons of Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride Capsules 225 milligram, and 229 cartons of Really Extra Tablet Diclofenac.
After identifying the items in the presence of relevant authorities, they were recorded and securely stored pending further examination and decisions. All parties involved were satisfied, and NRA/Customs seals were placed on the store, with stakeholders taking photos of the seal numbers (01581 and 01582) before departing.
Koroma continued to explain that on January 23, 2024, stakeholders reconvened at the Customs’ store for reassessment and collection of samples for forensic analysis. The seals were inspected again, and samples were collected, ensuring the integrity of the process.
During the investigation, CRN-SL discovered that Joseph Stevens from the Sierra Leone Police /TOCU forensic unit and Madam Hannah Masuba from the Sierra Leone Pharmacy Board had taken samples for forensic analysis. The process was supervised by Umaru Maddieu Kanneh.
Following the reexamination, new seals were placed on the store, and photos were taken for record purposes. However, Kanneh reportedly went on casual leave to Turkey, leaving Philip Tommy in charge with the consent of Commissioner Tennyson Bio, Assistant Commissioner Felix Jusu, and Manager Outdoor Bakie Minah.
On February 17, 2024, Kanneh received a call from his subordinate reporting that 19 cartons of Tramadol were missing during collection from the warehouse by TOCU. Investigations revealed involvement by security guards Eddy Lahai and Antony Ganda.
The consignee of the container was identified as Alhassan Jalloh, but attempts to locate him proved futile. TOCU confirmed the container’s removal from the quay and the destruction of the drugs.
CRN-SL urged authorities to trace the consignee and thoroughly investigate the matter.
