By Tamba Steven Komba

A suspected drug dealer, Amadu Unisa Mansaray, has been committed to the High Court for trial after the Magistrate Court in Mile 91 found sufficient evidence linking him to the unlawful possession of prohibited drugs, including cannabis sativa, Kush and tramadol.

The ruling was delivered by His Worship Magistrate Harold Kamara in Committal Proceedings Case No. 96/2026, following the conclusion of the prosecution’s case.

According to court records, Mansaray was charged with two counts of Possession of a Prohibited Drug Without Lawful Authority, contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act of 2008.

The prosecution, led by Sub-Inspector I.F. Bangura, informed the court that on 25 May 2026, the accused was arrested during a police patrol operation along the Magburaka Road in Mile 91, Yoni Mamaila Chiefdom, Tonkolili District.

Court documents revealed that the accused was allegedly found in possession of twelve wraps of cannabis sativa, thirty-six wraps of a substance suspected to be kush (opium), and thirteen tablets of 250mg tramadol, all without lawful authority.

The ruling stated: “It is alleged that Amadu Unisa Mansaray on Monday the 25th day of May 2026 at Magburaka Road, Mile 91…was found in possession Twelve (12) wraps of cannabis Sativa and Thirty-Six (36) wraps of substance suspected to be opium (kush) without lawful authority, Thirteen (13) Tablets (250mg) of Tramadol without lawful Authority.”

Because the offences are indictable, no plea was taken during arraignment, and the matter proceeded through committal proceedings.

During the hearing, the prosecution tendered several exhibits, including arrest reports, charge statements, laboratory requests and analysis reports, as well as the drugs allegedly recovered from the accused.

Among the evidence presented was a voluntary cautioned statement in which the accused reportedly admitted possession of the drugs.

According to the court, “the voluntary cautioned statement of the defendant who made a voluntary confessional and admission statement that the aforementioned drugs were found in his possession” formed part of the prosecution’s evidence.

The court also received laboratory analysis reports confirming examinations conducted on the substances recovered during the arrest. Notably, the defendant declined to cross-examine any of the prosecution witnesses after the close of the prosecution’s case.

In delivering his ruling, Magistrate Kamara emphasized that the court’s responsibility at the committal stage was to determine whether sufficient evidence existed to establish a prima facie case.

The magistrate stated: “Having regard to the evidence so far adduced, I hereby rule that the prosecution have adduced sufficient evidence that has raised more than a prima facie case to be answered by the defendant on trial.”

Consequently, the court ordered that Mansaray be committed to the High Court for trial.

The ruling further declared: “He is therefore committed to the High Court for trial. The defendant is to be remanded in custody at the Moyamba Correctional Centre unless bail is granted by the High Court.”

The case is the latest in a series of drug-related prosecutions as law enforcement authorities continue efforts to combat the growing circulation of kush and other prohibited substances across Sierra Leone. The accused remains in custody pending further proceedings before the High Court.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 15th June 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)