Freetown (21st October 2025) – The attention of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has been drawn to misleading social media information and publication alleging that a “Kush-filled-Container” had gone missing at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay. The leadership of the SLP, as well as the Security Sector, views such peddling of misinformation as not only unpatriotic, but a deliberate endeavour to present the country in a bad light thereby tarnishing her image and hard-earned reputation.
In order to set the records straight, on 13th May 2025, the Combined Maritime Control Unit (CMCU) of the SEACOP Project at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay intercepted Seventeen (17) 50kg bags of Kush and Ninety-One (91) bottles of Precursor Chemicals in a 40ft container emanating from Southampton in the United Kingdom with number TCNU 1723946 with the inscription ‘Triton International’.
Following this discovery, 100% physical examination exercise was done by the CMCU in order to isolate the items that are of security interest for subsequent action. During the physical examination exercise, the aforementioned items of security interests were recorded by TOCU, while the other personal effects within the container were kept in a separate container.
The container with the items of security interest was sealed, stalked and left in the custody of the leadership of Sierra Leone Ports and Harbour Authority for safe keeping and subsequent actions. Shortly afterwards, the Head of TOCU handed over a comprehensive list of the itemized illegal drugs to the Executive Director–NDLEA in order for him to request for a Destruction Order from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The Executive Director–NDLEA then secured a Destruction Order from the DPP and then submitted it to the TOCU Management Board (TOCU MB) for discussion and selection of a date for the destruction exercise.
Consequently, on 31st July 2025, a destruction exercise of the drugs seized, including the ones in the container under reference, was done at the TOCU HQ at Hastings in the presence of members of the Fourth Estate and other relevant stakeholders. Prior to their destruction, a verification exercise was conducted to ascertain the type and quantity of the various drugs on the list of drugs scheduled for destruction. An after-destruction report was subsequently produced for the attention of the TOCU MB, publication by the invited media houses and follow-up media engagement by the Security Sector Communication Unit.
This Press Release serves as a call on all well-meaning Sierra Leoneans to engage the relevant institutions for clarification of information they have doubts about and desist from engaging in spreading mis/disinformation.
To enhance any need for investigations, the SLP encourages anyone who has credible evidence to confirm that a Kush-filled Container has disappeared at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay, to make such evidence available to the SLP.
The SLP is assuring the public of its unwavering commitment in the fight against illegal substances and all other forms of criminalities across the country.
SIGNED
MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
SIERRA LEONE POLICE
HEADQUARTERS, KINGTOM.
TEL: +232 77 361070
