By Emma Black
The Sierra Leone Police (SLP), through the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), has disclosed a series of arrests, drug seizures, and ongoing investigations involving narcotics trafficking, human trafficking scams, and violent crimes across the country.
The update was given during the SLP’s weekly press conference, ahead of the official press briefing slated for Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Rogbangba Junction, Hastings.
On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, police arrested Mabinty Fofanah and Kadiatu Fofanah, both residents of Moscow, Aberdeen in Freetown, in possession of 95 wraps of substances suspected to be Kush. The exhibits have been sent for forensic analysis, and investigations are ongoing.
In a separate operation on Thursday, January 29, 2026, Ibrahim Tawarally of Massorie, Waterloo Camp Junction, a commercial taxi driver operating vehicle registration number AYR-965, was arrested at the Mile 18 Police Checkpoint in Kambia District. Police recovered 109 compressed parcels of dried leaves suspected to be Cannabis Sativa from the vehicle. The matter remains under investigation.
Additionally, on Sunday, February 1, 2026, Abu Bakarr Koroma of Wellington, Freetown, Hassan Lamin Conteh of Bundulai Village, Lungi, and Hassan Conteh of Port Loko were arrested at the Bundulai Police Checkpoint in Lokomasama Chiefdom. They were found with nine packets of Tapentadol, each containing ten strips, and one packet containing nine strips, suspected to be Tapentadol 250mg. Investigations are ongoing.
TOCU also confirmed the arrest of Darius Mealay, Felicia Karyouwany, Margret Wantoe, John Dennis, Kelvin Gaye, Benson Saye, Victor Dahn, Richard Tambay, Jeff Freeman, and Sing Megis, between January 14 and January 22, 2026.
According to police, the suspects allegedly conspired between January 1 and December 31, 2025, with Coker Waquoi, Festus Dahn, Hawa Baclay, Aaron Boima, and other persons unknown to fraudulently obtain a total of US$25,800 from victims under the false pretext of facilitating travel programs to Canada. The investigation is still in progress.
The Sierra Leone Police also released nationwide crime statistics covering six regions over the past two weeks
Total raids conducted 180, Suspects arrested Multiple, Cases under investigation 36, Cases charged to court 8, Suspects warned and released 17, Transferred to TOCU 14, Transferred to CID: 1
The Southern Region recorded the highest number of raids with 89 operations, while the North East Region recorded the highest number of cases charged to court.
Police provided updates on a fatal armed robbery that occurred at about 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026, at SS Lodge Fuel Station, Worreh, Makeni. Unidentified gunmen wearing military and OSD uniforms attacked the station and fatally shot fuel attendant Anthony Saidu Kargbo, before fleeing with a bag containing a large sum of money.
Eight suspects have been identified in connection with the crime, including Michael Rogers (alias Giant), Nicolas Ibrahim Jr Barrie (alias Kokie), Mohamed Bangura (alias Big Change), and an OSD officer, PC 15768 Michael Menjor Sesay. Investigations are ongoing.
In another tragic incident, police confirmed the death of Joshua Mansaray, who was allegedly beaten to death by a mob on Kingharman Road, Freetown, between 11:00 p.m. and midnight on January 25, 2026.
The incident was reported by his father, Cpl 10750 James Sao Mansaray, attached to the OSD Headquarters. Four suspects have been identified, including Sam Momoh (alias Mende Boy) and Issa Turay, a keke riders’ chairman.
Police also clarified a reported kidnapping case from Mokorewa Village, Moyamba District, involving Ibrahim Conteh, who was initially reported missing after being detained by Chief Francis Bayoh for alleged theft of charcoal.
Following investigations, Ibrahim Conteh was later found at a mining site in the Magboroka area. He told police that it was the complainant, Abdul Kargbo, who released him and encouraged him to flee in order to falsely implicate the chief. The matter remains under review.
The Sierra Leone Police reiterated their commitment to combat drug abuse, transnational crime, mob justice, and fraud, while urging the public to continue cooperating with law enforcement by providing credible information.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 9th February 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
