Investigating Officer Detective Sergeant Alie Suliamalia, attached to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at the Regional Ross Road Police Station, Harbour Division, Freetown has testified before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of the Ross Road Court No.1 in Freetown in the continuing ‘unlawful possession’ matter involving Mohamed Colo Bah and three others.
The accused appeared before the court for ‘unlawful’ possession contrary to section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act of 2008 and other related charges.
It was alleged that the first accused, Mohamed Colo Bah, on Tuesday 8 August, 2023 at No. 88 Thunder Hill Road Kissy Mess-Mess Freetown, was found in possession of certain wraps substances suspected to be ‘kush.’
The charge sheet furthered that the second accused, Alfred Coker was found in possession of 164 wraps of dried leaves also suspected to be ‘kush.’
The police say the third accused, Ibrahim Ben Kamara, on the same date at No. 7 Sesay Lane in Calaba Town was found in possession of 17 tablets suspected to be tramadol.
The third accused, was also found in possession of 16 tablets suspected to be tramadol.
Led in evidence by Assistant Superintendent Sub of Police ASP Osman M. Bangura formal Detective Sergeant Suliamalia Ishmael residing at Blackhall Road Kissy Freetown said he recognised the complainant and recognised the first, second, third and fourth accused and could recall Tuesday 20 August, 2023 l.
On the day in question , Sergeant Ishmael said he was on duty at CID Regional Division, Ross Road Police Station, Harbour Division, Freetown, when Detective Inspector Desmond Kamara attached to the Anti-Drugs Unit, at the aforesaid division when the first, second, third and fourth accused were arrested and brought in station for investigations.
He said the matter was assigned to him by his boss for investigations, adding that on the same he and Detective Police Constable 14985 Kamara M. obtained statements from the first, second, third and fourth accused separately.
He said at the end of their statements, they admitted to be true and correct by affixing their right hand thumbprints witnessed by Detective Police Constable 14985. The accused’s voluntary caution statements were produced and tendered to form part of the court’s records.
The witness said on the same day Detective Inspector Campbell handed over to him dried leaves suspected to be ‘kush, military attire and tables suspected to be ‘tramadol’ to the Exhibit Officer for safekeeping.
On Thursday 10 August 2023 he said he wrote a letter to the forensic analysts for expert opinion on the exhibits.
Defence counsel Alie Santos Sesay renewed and adopted his previous application for bail on behalf the first accused pursuant to section 79 of the Criminal Procedure Act No 32 1965.
Responding, Magistrate Kekura refused the accused bail and were remanded at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to Monday 11th September, 2023. Assistant Superintendent of Police ASP Osman M. Bangura is prosecuting the matter.
