By Sorie Ibrahim Fofanah
The Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU), in a joint exercise with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Sierra Leone Police, Pharmacy Board, conducted the destruction of narcotics and contraband drugs worth 96 million US dollars.
The exercise took place at the TOCU headquarters in Freetown on 19th July 2024, which saw the burning of drugs like Captagon, other narcotic and pharmaceutical drugs.
In his statement, the Head of TOCU Mohamed K. Alieu noted the incident as third of such since he took over as the head, but that they would not relent to pursue drug traffickers.
"Destruction of drugs is to prevent the circulation within the community and beyond," he said.
He pointed out how they would prosecute those suspects in their custody, and pursue the others who are on the run.
The Executive Director for National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Andrew Jaiah Kaikai explained that they are working "very hard" to ensure Sierra Leone doesn't become a transit point for drugs.
Kaikai pointed out that the Captagon drug which they seized was not meant for Sierra Leone, adding it's not in the country's market. "That tells us that people are still bent on wanting to use this country as a transshipment to Europe and America for drugs," he said.
Since the start of this year, he said that was the largest consignment of drugs that they have destroyed.
In his address, the Chairman- National Task Force for Drug and Substance Abuse, Professor Foday Sahr said the Task Force was established by an Act of Parliament due to the increase in drug abuse among the youth.
Shar pointed out that the fight against drugs and substance abuse is a fight for all, applauding the effort of the law enforcement agencies in particular.
"At the end of the day, we want to make sure that Sierra Leone is free from drugs, and ensure our youths are safe," he emphasised.
The Head of Department, Information and Communication, Pharmacy Board Sierra Leone, Dr. Sahr Emmanuel Gbomor said they confiscated over 2.5 million New Leones worth of pharmaceutical products, such as Tramadol, Coco Samba among others, which he noted are part of drugs that were burnt at the TOCU headquarters.
"The Pharmacy Board is an integral part of TOCU. Our role is to support other government agencies to ensure that pharmaceutical products are safe and efficacious, and in the process protects public health," Gbomor said.
He encouraged people to buy pharmaceutical products to pharmacies that are licensed with the government and other government healthcare units. He encouraged people not to buy drugs from drug peddlers.
A representative from the Office of National Security (ONS), Shek Ahmed Bah said: "In just within the space of six months, we have done about four destructions that involve significant number of drugs and also pharmaceutical products," Bah said, attributing that to their coordinated efforts.
He further mentioned that drug traffickers always have ways to beat the system, but that they are relentless in pursuing those drug traffickers. He noted that they were able to track down seven million four hundred and eighty-four thousand and one hundred of captagon tablets- a dangerous drug.
Bah called on all security stakeholders to continue their collaboration in the fight against illegal drugs and substance abuse, calling on the public to help them with information leading to the arrest of drug traffickers.
On the 12th of July this year, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education published a press release announcing the arrest of 7 people who are alleged to have imported bomb-making materials and the drugs that have been destroyed.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (22/07/24)
