Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah has ordered the committal of two Portuguese nationals to the High Court following a preliminary hearing into a cocaine trafficking case. The accused 41-year-old Sana Sidi, an electrician from Portugal, and 34-year-old Samba Blade, a mason originally from Guinea-Bissau but based in Lisbon, were arrested at Freetown International Airport, Lungi, on September 29, 2024.
According to the prosecution, the men were allegedly found in possession of 16 compressed pellets of a substance later confirmed to be cocaine. The items were discovered packed in two separate boxes, each containing eight parcels.
During court proceedings, the prosecution presented caution statements from both suspects, reportedly given voluntarily and recorded with the help of a certified interpreter, Umaru Bah, as the accused do not speak English. The suspects also provided thumbprints to validate their confessions.
Sergeant Prince Jabati from the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) testified that the seized drugs were handed over for forensic testing, and the results confirmed the presence of cocaine. The findings, along with other evidence, were submitted to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.
On October 7, 2024, the DPP formally recommended that charges be pursued. As a result, both men are now facing two counts under the National Drug Control Act, 2008: Possession of Prohibited Drugs Without Lawful Authority (Section 8a), and Transportation of Prohibited Drugs Without Lawful Authority (Section 7b)
Defense lawyer M.Y. Kanu told the court that his clients would reserve their response and present a full defense at the High Court.
After reviewing the evidence, Magistrate Jah ruled that there was sufficient cause to commit the matter to the High Court for full trial.
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