By Josephine Sesay
More than 465 individuals have been arrested and prosecuted for drug-related offenses in Sierra Leone between 2024 and 2025, as the country intensifies its fight against a growing substance abuse epidemic, authorities have confirmed.
Director of Drug Prevention, Education and Training at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ibrahim Samuel Dugba, disclosed the figures during a recent press briefing. According to Dugba, the arrests comprised 372 males and 93 females, with the majority linked to the use and distribution of a deadly synthetic drug known as Kush.
Providing a breakdown of the arrests, Dugba said:
83 people were caught with Cannabis Sativa (Jamba), 24 with Cocaine, 5 with Heroin, 303 with Kush, 3 with Captag, 33 with Tramadol or Ecstasy
In addition to the arrests, the NDLEA has confiscated significant quantities of narcotics and related processing equipment. Authorities seized 200.6kg of illicit substances, 8 pieces of equipment, and 10 cases weighing 192.47kg. All confiscated items are currently in the custody of the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) for further investigation.
“The arrested individuals are cooperating with the Sierra Leone Police in ongoing investigations,” Dugba said.
The sharp rise in drug abuse, particularly among Sierra Leone’s youth, led President Julius Maada Bio to declare a national emergency on substance abuse in April 2024. The declaration came amid mounting concern over the widespread use of Kush, a highly addictive and dangerous drug that has rapidly permeated communities across the country.
Kush is reported to be a toxic cocktail of marijuana, fentanyl, and tramadol, with alarming reports suggesting it is sometimes mixed with acetone, formalin, and even ground human bones. The drug’s affordability and easy availability have exacerbated its spread, causing a surge in deaths and psychiatric illnesses nationwide.
In response to the crisis, the government established a National Task Force focused on tackling the Kush epidemic. Security forces have increased their operations, conducting widespread raids, arresting major drug traffickers, and destroying large caches of Kush and other illicit drugs.
Authorities say the ongoing crackdown is part of a broader strategy to curb drug use, rehabilitate affected individuals, and prevent a generational catastrophe.
“The Kush crisis is not just a drug problem, it’s a national threat affecting public health, security, and the future of our youth,” said a government spokesperson.
The government, in collaboration with international partners and civil society organizations, is also rolling out awareness campaigns and rehabilitation programs as part of a long-term solution to the drug crisis.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday, 17th October 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
