By Musa Paul Feika
Magistrate Hannah Bonnie of Magistrate Court No.1 has sentenced twenty three years old James Tarawally at the Male Correctional Centre, for allegedly being found with two suitcases of cannabis sativa at No. 46 Robert Street in Freetown.
The accused was before the court on one count charge of unlawful possession of cannabis sativa, which is contrary to section 48 (1) of the Pharmacy and Drugs Act of 2001.
According to the police file sheet, on Tuesday 19th March 2019, at No. 46 Robert Street in Freetown, James Tarawally was found in possession of cannabis sativa, which weighs fifteen (15) kilograms, in two suitcases without authority.
Mohamed Malema Bangura, Detective Sergeant attached at the Transitional Organised Crime Unit (TOCO) Hastings, highlighted some of his duties and responsibilities such as: he was charged with the responsibility of receiving and ensuring a safe keeping of exhibits that have passed through the hands of officers in respect of cases being investigated and charged to court.
He continued that, on the 29th February 2019, Marcathy Jbo handed over to him two suitcases of cannabis sativa, which he registered in the exhibit file against serial No. 4 2019, which was marked as exhibit A1 to 25.
However, after the charge was read to the accused he pleaded guilty of the offence.
The presiding Magistrate furthered asked the accused whether he has anything to say before sentencing him. After several questions were posed to him by the Magistrate, she finds out that the accused is not trustworthy. Even though the accused begged for mercy, she sentenced him for two years.
In her final statement she urged the police officers to burn the exhibit into ashes and must be witnessed or supervised by the Deputy Master and Registrar.