By Saio Marrah
Police Constable 5614 Sawyer Williams, alias Daddy, has been dismissed from the Force for selling a harmful drug commonly known as “Kush”, according to Police Regional Commander of Freetown-East, John Martin Senessie (Ph.D.).
Addressing journalists at the weekly Police Press Briefing in Freetown on Wednesday 23rd August 2023, he said the ex-police constable who admitted to the crime is to face prosecution when investigations are concluded.
According to Senessie, Williams was arrested during widespread raids in the Western Area by the Anti-Drugs Unit which started on the 13th of August this year. Acting on a tip-off, the unit searched the Grafton Old Camp residence of Williams and discovered 72 wraps of the drug.
Senessie said the officer was arrested on Tuesday 22nd August and reportedly admitted to selling kush after he earlier told his interrogators that he only used it for personal consumption.
He said the substance found in Williams’ house had been proven by experts to be kush and was subsequently sacked.
According to him, the action is a warning to the public that there would be no sacred cow in the police clamping down on those dealing with illegal drugs.
The police commander said Williams was among nine people arrested by the unit and also confirmed that the Eastern Police Division also conducted raids, and arrested four suspects that have been charged to court.
“Harbour Division (police) also conducted six raids on drugs dealers, arrested nine suspects of which eight have been charged to court and one is under investigation,” he said.
“Kissy Division conducted four raids, arrested 11 suspects, two of them at Texaco Lorry Park…five have been charged to court, “the officer continued.
Waterloo Division he said also apprehended 29 suspects who have all been charged to court.
From April 1st to date, he said sixty-four (64) suspects have been arrested, of which 28 got charged to court, while 36 were arrested at drug joints but were released after warning.
The Regional Commander of Freetown-West, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Sylvester Koroma, noted that Mountain Division conducted four raids, and arrested seven suspects who were then charged to court. Aberdeen Division also arrested one person who then appeared in court.
He said Congo Cross arrested seven and that all have been charged to court. Lumley Division also arrested and charged 11 suspects in court. He also noted that his division has also embarked on community engagement on illegal drugs.
The Media Officer of North-East, Sergeant, John Abass Kamara, reported that from several raids conducted in Makeni City, police together with the military arrested 10 persons and charged eight in court.
Kamakwie Division arrested four suspects who then made court appearances.
“Magburaka Division arrested 12, all of them have been charged to court. Kabala Division arrested four, all charged to court, Mile 91 Division arrested two and they have been also charged to court” he stated.
Kamara also noted that 42 suspects have been arrested of which 37 were charged to court since the inception of the new commander of the region, AIG Edward Samadia.
Sub-Inspector Braima James Musa from the Eastern Region reported that from the 3rd to the 22nd of August this year, Kenema Division conducted raids and arrested 30 of which 19 were charged to court, Kailahun arrested four charging all of them to court and ended up being convicted.
“Tongo arrested six, charged the six, and has secured a conviction for the six. Motema Division in Kono conducted raids and arrested 15 people, they have charged them to court and they have all been conceited,” he noted.
Tankoro Division arrested 20 suspects, who all faced conviction after appearing in court.
Copyright (2023) Politico (25/08/23)
