By Sulaiman Jalloh
As the ongoing fight against drugs intensifies, the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) on Saturday, April 20th, 2024, destroyed huge quantity of dangerous drugs, such as Kush, Tramadol, Marshmallow, Cannabis Sativa, Cocaine⹁ Amphetamine, Enphetripomdim, among others.
Delivering his keynote address before the destruction of the drugs, the Executive Director of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Andrew Jah-Kaikai, recalled that on February 17th, 2024, hug quantum of illegal substance was destroyed at the same venue, saying the government of President Bio is determined to stop the sales and intake of drugs in the country, stressing that the fight has been intensified.
“We are ready,” he said while assuring Sierra Leoneans of the end of Kush and substance abuse in the country, saying they have declared war on drugs.
Director of Crime Service at the Sierra Leone Police, Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Joseph Lahai, said the destruction of the drugs is crucial in the fight, noting the youthful population in the country will have no positive use in society if the intake of harmful substance is not addressed. According to him, those drug addicts are expected to become lawyers, doctors, police officers and more whilst he assured that the issues of substance abuse will be a thing of the past soon.
He assured that any drug confiscated will be destroyed, something he said they are determined to do.
Commissioner Lahai disclosed that there has been series of arrests across Sierra Leone while calling on members of the public and the media to continue their support by providing requisite information to the law enforcement body, saying the fight must be taken serious as the country fought Ebola. “Kush is not only destroying the current generation, but also the future generation as well”.
Making a statement, the head of TOCU, Mohammed K. Alieu, assured of his institution’s commitment to combat crimes in the county including the fight against drugs and substance abuse. He called on the public to help provide important information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of defaulters.
Other speakers include representatives from Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone Port and Harbour Authority, amongst others.
Copyright –Published in print in Expo Times Newspaper on Friday, April 24TH, 2023 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)