By Fatrtima Kpaka
Sierra Leone – October 1, 2025: Twenty-eight-year-old trader Alie Kamara has been committed to the High Court by Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Pademba Road Court No.1 for allegedly possessing 80 wraps of kush without lawful authority.
Kamara was arraigned on one count of possession of prohibited drugs, contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drug Control Act of 2008. The charge relates to an incident on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Culvert, off Race Course Road in Freetown, where police reportedly found the accused in possession of the suspected substance.
Led in evidence by State Prosecutor ABN Taylor Kamara, ASP Joseph Stevens—a forensic analyst with the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU)—testified as an expert witness. He explained that his role involved analyzing chemical substances submitted for forensic examination.
ASP Stevens recalled that on June 4, 2024, Detective Sergeant Mohamed Kandeh of the Ross Road Police Station submitted a laboratory request form for the analysis of 80 wraps of dry leaves, weighing 60.4 grams, suspected to be cannabis sativa, commonly referred to as Kush.
He detailed the testing process, which included a presumptive test conducted in the presence of the accused, followed by chemical and microscopic crystal analyses. The final forensic report, dated July 9, 2024, confirmed the substance tested positive for Kush and was tendered in court as Exhibit E1–2.
Kamara was given the opportunity to cross-examine the witness but declined, stating he had no questions.
Following the testimony, the prosecution submitted that a prima facie case had been established and requested the matter be committed to the High Court for trial. Magistrate Jah agreed, ruling that sufficient evidence warranted committal and ordered that Kamara remain in custody pending his appearance before the superior court.