By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, July 9, 2025 — Portuguese national Sana Sidi and Guinea-Bissau citizen Sama Blade have been committed to the High Court by Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Pademba Road Court No.1, following their alleged involvement in a cocaine trafficking case.
The accused were arraigned on two counts under Sierra Leone’s National Drug Control Act 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008):
– Possession of Prohibited Drugs without Lawful Authority (Section 8(a))
– Transportation of Prohibited Drugs without Lawful Authority (Section 7(b))
According to police reports, both suspects were apprehended on 29 September 2024 at Freetown International Airport, Lungi, in Port Loko District, allegedly in possession of 16 pellets of cocaine without lawful authorization.
Before committing the case to the High Court, Magistrate Jah noted that sufficient evidence had been presented by the prosecution to warrant a full trial. The court determined that the facts and materials supplied merit further judicial scrutiny at the higher level.
The prosecution was led by ABN Taylor Kamara, while the defense counsel for the accused is MY Kanu. Both defendants are currently out on bail pending the commencement of proceedings in the High Court.
This development highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement and the judiciary to clamp down on illicit drug trafficking and uphold the provisions of national drug legislation.