Freetown, 18th June, 2026– The High Court of Sierra Leone has handed down one of the country’s toughest narcotics sentences, as Justice Andrew S.C. Johnson convicted 37‑year‑old South African citizen, Asandra Denise, on five counts of drug trafficking offences and imposed a total of 130 years’ imprisonment.
Denise, a resident of Nenvonds in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province, was arrested at Freetown International Airport, Lungi, after authorities discovered 365 pellets of cocaine weighing 5.4 kilograms concealed in her possession. She was charged under the National Drugs Control Act, 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008) with unlawful possession, dealing, collecting, importing, and transporting prohibited drugs.
Despite pleading not guilty, forensic evidence proved decisive. Joseph Lahai, a forensic toxicologist, testified that laboratory analysis confirmed the pellets contained Cocaine Hydrochloride. The prosecution, led by I.A. Kamara Esq., presented three witnesses, including the exhibit clerk, and formally closed its case after tendering ex‑officio information under the hand of the Attorney General.
In his ruling, Justice Johnson described the prosecution’s evidence as “strong and compelling,” noting that the accused’s mere denial could not dislodge the credibility of the witnesses. He found Denise guilty on all counts and imposed sentences of 10 years for unlawful possession and 30 years each for dealing, collecting, importing, and transporting prohibited drugs.
Although the cumulative sentence amounted to 130 years, Justice Johnson ordered that the terms run concurrently, meaning Denise will serve 30 years in prison from the date of her remand. He further directed that the seized cocaine and related exhibits be forfeited to the State and destroyed under official supervision.
