By Mohamed J. Kargbo
Four individuals, a bike rider, a laborer, a businesswoman, and an unemployed man have been remanded in custody for allegedly manufacturing and distributing the dangerous drug known as ‘Kush’ without lawful authority.
The accused, Andrew Momoh Jah, Daniel Kamara, Zainab Kamara, and Thomas Leigh Koroma, appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown, facing thirteen charges related to drug production and trafficking.
The accused were charged with manufacturing, transporting, supplying, selling, and possessing prohibited drugs, as well as handling materials used in drug production all without legal authorization.
According to the prosecution, the four were apprehended on November 20, 2024, at No. 66 Kanu Drive, Temne Town, Allen Town, in the Western Area of Freetown, where they were allegedly producing and distributing ‘Kush’ and other banned substances.
The prosecution presented Police Officer Musa Maju (Badge No. 15063), attached to the Transnational Organized Crime Unit, as a witness.
Testifying in court, Maju stated that he recognized all the accused persons and recalled being on duty on November 20, 2024, when the head of his unit, Mohamed Aliue, handed over the case files for investigation.
He further revealed that he, along with Police Constable Steven Sesay, obtained statements from the first and second accused persons. Police Constable Steven Alpha Sesay later cautioned and questioned them separately.
Maju added that the accused provided their statements in Krio, which were then recorded in English. The statements were read back to them, and both individuals confirmed their accuracy by affixing their right-hand thumbprints.
A team of defense lawyers, led by H.M. Gevaho, cross-examined the witness. However, given the seriousness of the charges, Magistrate Sahr Kekura denied bail, ordering that the accused be remanded at the Male and Female Correctional Centers in Freetown.
The case has been adjourned to March 11, 2025, for further hearings.
