By Alimatu Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone — Police prosecutor DPC 13849 Saffia Amara on Friday, September 5, 2025, led crucial evidence in the ongoing drug possession trial of Umar Mansaray, a businessman facing four counts related to prohibited substances and drug manufacturing materials.
Testifying before Magistrate Augustine Brima Samura at Pademba Road Court No. 8, an investigator attached to the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), Inspector Aminata Korio, identified the accused and recounted events from August 4, 2025. Korio stated that he was assigned a transferred case from the B/West Division involving unlawful possession of drugs. The inquiry file included the arresting officer’s report, a voluntary caution statement from the accused, and a receipt of the case file—all of which were tendered in court as evidence.
Korio further revealed that on the same day, he and Inspector Stephen Alpha Turay obtained an additional voluntary caution statement from Mansaray. The statement, given in Krio and recorded in English, was read back to the accused, who confirmed its accuracy by affixing his thumbprint. This document was also submitted into evidence.
According to Korio, on 22nd August 2025, Inspector Turay requested forensic analysis of the exhibits. Acting on intelligence, a search was conducted at Old Motor Road in Freetown, where additional items of police interest were discovered. These included Sierra Leonean passports, a Uruguayan passport bearing the accused’s photo under the name Umar Kallon Mansaray, precursor chemicals, and marshmallow leaves—substances allegedly linked to drug manufacturing.
Another caution statement was obtained from Mansaray on the same date, following the same procedure. On 25th August, a request was made to verify the authenticity of the passports through the Immigration Department. A forensic report was received on 27th August, and the case file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice. The DPP’s office responded on 29th August, and the accused was formally charged on 30th August.
Following Korio’s testimony, defense counsel Cecilia F. Peacock Esq. cross-examined the witness. Magistrate Samura denied bail due to the gravity of the charges and adjourned the matter to 8th September 2025.
Mansaray is facing four counts: two for possession of prohibited drugs without lawful authority, and two for possession of substances used in drug manufacturing. The charges stem from incidents on 1st July 2025 at a police checkpoint in Bo, Southern Province, and on 22nd July 2025 in Waterloo, Western Area, where he was allegedly found with precursor chemicals and thirteen transparent containers suspected to be used in drug production.
The case continues to unfold as authorities build their prosecution against Mansaray.