By Hassanatu I. Conteh

Prosecution witness No.3, Constable13905 Jalloh, attached to the Criminal Investigations Department, testified before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown.

He recalled that on 2nd September, 2022, he was on duty when he received exhibits, which were three paper bags of marshmallow inside a brown carton, seventeen (17) containers of acetone,  one Peugeot car with registration “AE 4685” and one Toyota Corolla car with registration “RC 6482 AY”.

Magistrate Mark Ngegba stated that he wanted to see the exhibits in court. The three paper bags of marshmallow and the other box contain seventeen (17) containers of acetone were produced and tendered in court.

Esq. H.M. Ngevao representing the first accused cross examined the witness asking what his area of study is. He stated that the witness was not able to identify what type of plant powder was in the bag. The witness stated that he labelled the boxes based on the information and the file he was given.

Police led prosecution witness No. 4, Constable 8310 Lawrence Hassan Kanu, recalled that on 19th August, 2023 he received files containing statements of the accused and the exhibits of three bags containing sheared leaves and two vehicles. He added that a team of investigators was formed.

When they called the second accused on his phone, the investigators were told that the second accused stayed at Ferry Junction’s Peace Market and he was arrested and brought to the police headquarters.

The witness continued that the second accused told the team that he was sent to transport the goods, so they traced the second accused’s phone, where they found the number of the one who was supposed to receive the goods.

The investigation team went to No.3 Lansana Drive, Goderich, the house and at Beach Road, Aberdeen Salon of the first accused, and she was identified, leading to them executing a search warrant where they discovered seventeen containers of acetone and other substances.

The first accused was cautioned and questioned where she made mention of the fifth accused, wherein he was brought into custody and was cautioned. He stated that he was the owner of the items.

The search warrant was produce and tendered in court The first accused was interviewed in Krio which was recorded in English, the statement was read and sign along with her lawyer. The statements were produced and tendered in court.

The witness furthered that a request was sent to Interpol in respect of one Alpha and Adama who the second accused purported he had contacted to transport the items from Guinea to Sierra Leone. Esq. Ngevao asked the witness why the twenty five million Leones has not been tendered in court and it was not part of the items that were excluded.

Police alleged that Fatmata Bangura and Mallal Bah on a date between the 1st and 19th day of August, 2023, in the Republic of Sierra Leone, conspired together and with other persons unknown to import three (3) paper bags of a substance, to wit, marshmallow weighing 240 kilograms contained in a brown carton, that is used in the manufacturing of synthetic cannabinoid also known as synthetic kush from Conakry, Guinea to Sierra Leone, without lawful authority, contrary to section 7(b) of the National Drug Control Act 2008; Act No.10 of 2008.

Count 2 statement of offence:- conspiracy to transport a substance used in the manufacturing of synthetic cannabinoid (kush).

particulars of offence:- That you Fatmata Bangura, Mallal Bah, Idrissa Jalloh, and Mamadou Samba Jalloh on a date between the 1st and 19th day of August, 2023, in the Republic of Sierra Leone, conspired together and with other persons unknown to transport three (3) paper bags of a substance, to wit, marshmallow weighing 240 kilograms contained in a brown carton, that is used in the manufacturing of synthetic cannabinoid also known as synthetic kush from Conakry, Guinea to Sierra Leone, without lawful authority.

It was alleged that Bai Bangura on Sunday, 20th August, 2023, at No. 3 Lansana Drive, Off Sara Lane, Goderich in the Western Rural Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone, were found in possession of eighteen (18) plastic containers of acetone (1000ml), a precursor chemical that is used in manufacturing of synthetic cannabinoid also known as synthetic kush, without lawful authority.

The defence reopened their bail application for all four (4) accused.

Magistrate Ngegba denied bail and the matter was adjourned to 18th September, 2023.