Freetown, 16th October 2025-  The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) has concluded an internal investigation into allegations of irregular container clearance at the Freetown Port, following social media claims that sixteen containers were smuggled through the facility earlier this month.

Early on, in a press release issued on 9th October, SLPHA firmly denied the allegations, describing the reports as “false, misleading, and entirely unsubstantiated.” However, on the same day, the National Revenue Authority (NRA) formally engaged SLPHA regarding three containers suspected of bypassing standard clearance procedures.

In response, the Director General of SLPHA authorized a joint investigation involving senior management and executive members of the Association of Clearing and Forwarding Agencies (ACFA). The team conducted site visits to all institutions involved in the clearance process, including Freetown Terminal Limited (FTL), Logistics Solutions and Services (LSS), the Customs and Excise Department of the NRA, and Integrated Trade Services (ITS).

Key Findings from the Investigation

  1. Although the documents for the three containers were not processed through the ASYCUDA system, a Customs Release was duly authorized and issued by the Customs and Excise Department.
  2. The release was dispatched via the standard Customs Way Book and bore all official features, including perforations, stamps, and signatures of Customs officers.
  3. Payments were confirmed to have been made to all relevant institutions involved in the clearance process—except for Customs Duties, which remained outstanding at the time of review.
  4. Physical examinations of the containers were conducted in the presence of Customs and SLPHA officials and later certified by the Customs and Excise Department.
  5. Scanning and inspection results revealed no security concerns.

SLPHA emphasized that its primary role is to ensure a secure and enabling environment for port operations, while clearance responsibilities lie with specialized agencies. FTL operates the container terminal; NSBT handles bulk cargo; NRA oversees import and export duties; ITS manages container scanning; and LSS tracks cargo from origin to destination.

The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, pledging closer collaboration with the NRA and other stakeholders to strengthen control measures and enhance system integration, particularly within the ASYCUDA platform.