By Emma Black

Judiciary of Sierra Leone Communications Main Law Courts Building, Siaka Stevens Street, Freetown 20th November 2025, high court Judge Hon. Justice Cosmotina Jarrett (J) has today sentenced Edward Bangura to fifteen (15) years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to the offence of illegal possession of the prohibited drug Kush.

Bangura was charged with possession of a prohibited drug, contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act, 2008, according to evidence presented in court; the convict was found in possession of 50.0 grams of Kush on 12th May 2025 in Freetown, without lawful authority. The arrest was made by police officers attached to the Lumley Police Station during a routine patrol along Kallon Drive, off Regent Road, Lumley.

Prosecuting Counsel E. A. Deen Esq. told the court that the officers discovered Bangura asleep inside an unregistered vehicle. Upon searching him, police found eighty-nine (89) wraps of a substance weighing 50 grams. The substance was later subjected to chemical analysis, which confirmed it to be Kush. Bangura admitted ownership of the drugs and pleaded guilty immediately after the charge was read.

In delivering her judgment, Justice Jarrett noted the convict’s early plea and the gravity of the offence, especially considering the widespread harm that such drugs continue to inflict on young people across the country. She emphasised that the custodial sentence should serve as a deterrent to others engaged in drug-related criminality.

Justice Jarrett further ordered that the 50 grams of Kush be destroyed in the presence of, the Director of public prosecutions (or a representative) he deputy master and registrar of the high court other designated officials, she directed that a certificate of destruction be filed with the court within seven (7) working days.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 26th November 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)