News of the arrest of seven men and a woman by the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) for possession of cannabis sativa (jamba) and other illegal drugs is welcome news by nightwatch. For a long time now this medium has taken the lead among media houses to not only inform people about the proliferation of narcotic drugs in the country, but went as far as publishing a series of articles where drug dealers and users pointed the accusing finger at certain individuals in high positions across the country for their alleged involvement in the illegal drugs smuggling, trade and distribution in Sierra Leone.
Maybe owing to our tireless effort in this regard, TOCU has been hot on the heels of the men and women accused of involvement in this very lucrative trade with unfathomable consequences to the physical and moral health and wealth of nations. Our hats off to TOCU in this regard!
However, we are constrained to say that, short of the notorious Biggie Tel who is alleged to also be under arrest, the men and woman that were recently arrested and presented to the public via the media are small fishes. While their crimes cannot be minimised, they should be considered drops in the ocean when compared to the many people from all walks of life that directly or indirectly benefit from the illegal drugs trade in Sierra Leone. And after three years of not only investigating but publishing works on drug use and abuse in Freetown, and indeed Sierra Leone, investigators from this medium, including our many sources, while risking their lives and limbs, were made privy to the names, locations and activities of the majority of the men and women who run and control the narcotics drug trade in Freetown. These people are considered the big fishes.
Without putting a dent in TOCU’s work and ambitions, the hard working men and women of this very important unit in the country’s defence against narcotic drugs and their abuse should know that their work must not end with the prosecution of the aforementioned eight. They must also use these people and make deals with them to give up the big fishes. This medium believes that when such people are named, investigated, arrested and prosecuted, the country and indeed the world will be left speechless. Among the alleged big fishes are highly placed and respected individuals in society, with many of them having a direct link to the fight in which TOCU is valiantly involved.
By allowing this culture of arresting low level dealers and addicts, our law enforcement agencies are making a mockery of the very fight they are dedicated to. Sadly, these big fishes also rely on our crime fighters to never bridge the divide that separates them from their underlings. Although they are known by all and sundry, surprisingly one is at a loss for words and constrained to ask if members of the law enforcement corps are unaware of such individuals. If they know them, then that is a real shame when we consider the millions of dollars foreign Drug Enforcement Agencies (DEAs) spend across the world in an effort to internationalise the fight against narcotic drugs and the people that benefit out of the pain and misery of the billions of people addicted to these drugs.
Taking the fight to the big fishes would send a strong message to not only Sierra Leoneans, but the world at large that although we are a small, rich country full of poor people, we refuse to be used as either a transit point or a conduit for illegal drugs, and that we value the health and security of our people much more than the easy millions that illegal drugs make for their masters. Sierra Leone cannot be allowed to become a narco-state.
The big fishes must not be allowed to get an ounce of rest. They should know that the fight is coming to their doorsteps. To ensure that the fight reach these big fishes, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is expected to capacitate TOCU and all other state institutions involved in the fight against illegal drugs, including training, modern and very recent equipment and finance.
While the arrest of these eight individuals is a step in the right direction; however, TOCU must not rest on its laurels. Now is the time to up the ante. Now is time to take the fight to who it belongs to, for which many heads are expected to roll.