Makeni, October 23rd 2025- Police in Makeni have arrested an elderly woman suspected of trafficking narcotics. The suspect, identified as Ya Kadiatu Barrie, was apprehended on October 22, 2025, during a targeted raid on her residence along Lawyer Street, a location now under scrutiny as a potential hub for illicit drug activity.
The operation, led by DSP Yusif Barrie and supported by DPC John Thullah of the Regional Operations Office in Mena Hills, uncovered 55 tablets believed to be Tramadol and 25 wraps of a substance suspected to be Kush. The drugs were reportedly concealed within the premises, raising questions about how long the operation may have been running undetected.
Police say the arrest followed credible intelligence pointing to Lawyer Street as a growing hotspot for narcotics. The Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) swiftly launched an investigation, culminating in charges against Ms Barrie, who is expected to appear before the Makeni Magistrate’s Court today.
“This is not just an arrest, it’s a message,” said Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Victor Manfred Williams. “We are tightening the net around drug networks, and no one is above the law. Whether young or old, we will pursue offenders with full force.”
The arrest has sent ripples through the Makeni community, where residents are grappling with the rise of Kush, a synthetic drug linked to addiction, violence, and mental health deterioration. That an elderly woman could be implicated in such a case has stunned many, challenging assumptions about who is involved in the city’s drug trade.
Source: Ibrahim S. Bah, Makeni
