Two Individuals Charged for Alleged Drug Transport at Lungi Airport

A Guinean national, Sekou Tidiane Camara and a Sierra Leonean, Mabinty Sufiam Kargbo, both found working within the aviation sector at Freetown International Airport Lungi, were sent to prison on Monday, October 9, 2023. The charges against them were in connection to the alleged transportation of 24 plastic sachets of drugs from Freetown to the Philippines without proper authorization. Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Court No. 1 issued the remand order.

The accused individuals faced a total of six charges, which included the possession of high-risk drugs without lawful authority, as per Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act, 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008). Other charges encompassed transportation of high-risk drugs, aiding and abetting in drug transportation, obstruction of authorized personnel in the performance of their duties, and failure to comply with the requirements made by authorized personnel.

The first count alleged that Sekou Tidiane Camara was found in possession of 24 plastic sachets of Amphetamine, categorized as a high-risk drug, on August 27, 2023, at Freetown International Airport Lungi, Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom in the Northern Province, without proper authority.

The second count claimed that the accused transported the same 24 plastic sachets of Amphetamine, also a high-risk drug, from Freetown to Manila, Philippines, on the same date without lawful authority.

The third count accused Mabinty Sufian Kargbo of aiding and abetting Sekou Tidiane Camara in the transportation of these high-risk drugs.

In the fourth count, it was alleged that Mabinty Sufian Kargbo obstructed Police Corporal Peter Sheku Konneh in the performance of his duties at the main entrance of Freetown International Airport Lungi on August 26, 2023.

The fifth count stated that Sekou Tidiane Camara failed to comply with the requirements made by Police Corporal Peter Sheku Konneh in the performance of his duties at the same location.

The sixth and final count accused Sekou Tidiane Camara of failing to disclose information required by Police Corporal Peter Sheku Konneh in the performance of his duties at the main entrance of Freetown International Airport Lungi.

During the court proceedings, the accused persons were presented with the charges, and no pleas were entered.

Detective Corporal Fanta Fofanah, a prosecution witness from the CID Airport Police Station, Lungi, testified that she observed the events leading to the charges. She narrated that, on August 26, 2023, while on duty at Airport Cargo Lungi, she noticed the first accused, Sekou Tidiane Camara, with the second accused, Mabinty Sufian Kargbo. Sekou Tidiane Camara was preparing to board a motorcycle, and the two were transporting cartons purportedly containing spare parts.

Questions were raised about the content of these cartons, leading to their inspection by Sky Handling Partners (SHP) staff. The inspection raised suspicions due to variations between the alleged spare parts and the actual content of the cartons, which included tires with an unconventional attachment of bolts and nuts.

While attempts were made to confirm the contents, it was observed that the second accused, Mabinty Sufian Kargbo, did not possess any documentation for the items. These findings sparked further investigations and eventually revealed the presence of drugs in the tires.

The accused were remanded in custody until October 13, 2023, after their bail application was denied by Magistrate Mark Ngegba, who urged the prosecutor to expedite the trial by bringing forth all necessary witnesses. Defense lawyers for the accused included Lawyer F Mansaray and Lawyer Gevao. The prosecution was led by CSP Joan Bull, Esq.