By Andrew Chokpeleh
Freetown, 22nd January 2026 – Sierra Leone’s security forces have stepped up their fight against narcotics, conducting 182 raids in just two weeks and making several high-profile arrests as part of a nationwide crackdown.
The Head of the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), CSP Reverend Michael J. K. Laggah, confirmed that officers intercepted a vehicle carrying 190 tablets suspected to be tapentadol, a powerful opioid. The driver fled the scene, abandoning his driver’s licence and a Guinean national ID card inside the vehicle. Authorities say the documents will aid ongoing investigations, and the vehicle has been impounded at TOCU headquarters.
In a separate operation, TOCU arrested Foday Momoh Conteh after he was found riding a motorcycle without a licence. Conteh was allegedly carrying 20 parcels of dry leaves believed to be cannabis sativa. Investigators also discovered a police officer’s ID card in his possession, which has since been handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). Laggah noted that the officer’s PIN code will be used to trace the card’s origins and assist the probe.
Two other suspects, Sheku Kamara and Abdulai Jalloh, were also taken into custody after police found 12 parcels of cannabis in their possession. All seized substances have been sent to the national laboratory for testing and analysis.
Police Communications Director revealed that of the 182 raids carried out, 69 cases remain under investigation. Twenty-two suspects were released after evidence against them fell short of the threshold required for prosecution. Twenty others have been charged to court, while five remain in TOCU custody. No suspects are currently being held by CID.
The intensified operations underscore Sierra Leone’s determination to curb the distribution, supply, and consumption of illicit drugs across the country. Officials say the crackdown will continue as part of broader efforts to strengthen law enforcement and protect public health.
