By Emma Black
In a decisive crackdown on organised crime, the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) have arrested ten individuals linked to a sophisticated criminal syndicate engaged in armed robbery, illegal firearms possession, and the forgery of official documents and currency, 22 July 2025
The coordinated intelligence-led operation conducted between 19th and 21st July spanned several neighborhoods in Freetown, including Kissy, Tengbeh Town, MacDonald, and Sumaila Town. The raids resulted in the seizure of a significant cache of arms, counterfeit cash, forged documents, and high-tech printing equipment.
According to police sources, the suspects were apprehended while actively producing forged New Le20 banknotes, fake police clearance certificates, counterfeit university degrees allegedly from the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), and fabricated WASSCE results.
Investigators also discovered fraudulent European travel visas, intended for individuals attempting to migrate under false pretenses.
This was not a one-off crime it was a structured and ongoing operation with serious national security implications, one senior police official confirmed under condition of anonymity.
One of the suspects is said to have confessed during preliminary questioning, admitting that the illegal enterprise had been operational for quite some time” and had served multiple clients locally and abroad.
In addition to the forgery equipment, the SLP recovered illegal firearms and ammunition, raising concerns about the potential links between document fraud and violent criminal activity.
The suspects are now in custody as investigators work to trace the full extent of the network its clients, collaborators, and possible international connections.
A police spokesperson emphasized the force’s zero-tolerance approach to crime, stating that law enforcement remains firmly committed to protecting national security and public trust.
This operation is a clear signal to criminal networks that the Sierra Leone Police will not hesitate to act decisively. We are determined to dismantle any syndicate that threatens the integrity of our institutions and the safety of our citizens, the spokesperson added.
The public has been encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to document forgery, illegal arms, or human trafficking schemes.
The case is now under comprehensive investigation, and formal charges are expected to be filed against the suspects in the coming days.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday,30th July, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
