By Josephine Sesay
The Government of Sierra Leone, through the country’s security sector, has released preliminary findings into investigations surrounding the interception of the cargo vessel, MV Blume, by Spanish authorities over alleged cocaine trafficking.
The findings were presented during a press briefing attended by senior security officials, including the Director of Operations of the Sierra Leone Police, AIG John Martin Senesie, officials from the Office of National Security (ONS), and representatives of the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU).
According to the security sector, the vessel MV Blume, registered under the flag of the Comoros Islands, arrived at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown on 18 April 2026 from Santos, Brazil.
Investigators disclosed that the vessel berthed at the Freetown Terminal to discharge a consignment of 2,500 metric tons of cement imported by a local company whose identity has been withheld pending further investigations.
The committee stated that discharge operations commenced on 19 April and were completed on 21 April 2026, after which the vessel departed Sierra Leone on 22 April following clearance by all relevant authorities, including the Sierra Leone Ports Authority, Customs, Immigration, and Port Health officials.
Authorities further revealed that the vessel was later intercepted by Spanish authorities in international waters while reportedly en route to Las Palmas, where approximately 4.5 tons of cocaine were allegedly discovered onboard.
Presenting the preliminary findings, security officials emphasized that available shipping manifests and investigations conducted so far showed no indication that narcotics were loaded onto the vessel while it was berthed at the Freetown Port.
The security sector explained that an inter-agency investigative committee was immediately constituted following widespread reports on social media concerning the alleged cocaine shipment.
According to officials, the committee was mandated to verify the vessel’s ownership, registration details, voyage history, and any possible links to Sierra Leonean ports, institutions, individuals, or criminal networks.
Investigations currently underway include the review of CCTV footage at the port, interviews with local shipping agents and crew members, and verification of the vessel’s movements through the Automatic Identification System (AIS).
Authorities also confirmed ongoing collaboration with international partners, including INTERPOL and Spanish authorities, to determine the exact location where the narcotics were discovered and whether any Sierra Leonean connections exist.
The security sector disclosed that no arrests have yet been made locally, although several persons of interest have been invited for questioning as investigations continue.
Officials urged members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information on social media, warning that misleading reports and speculation could undermine ongoing investigations.
The Government reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a professional, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into the matter and assured the public that further updates would be provided as investigations progress.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 25th May 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
