By Forum staff writer
A joint security operation at the Mile 38 Checkpoint in Masaka Division has led to the arrest of a Guinean national found in possession of a suspected consignment of kush, authorities confirmed on Thursday.
The operation was carried out by personnel from the Sierra Leone Police and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, under the leadership of Superintendent Foday Sorie Fofanah. The arrest took place on 19 February 2026 during a routine stop and search exercise aimed at curbing cross border crime and drug trafficking.
The suspect was identified as Ibrahim Sorie Camara, a Guinean national who was driving a vehicle bearing Guinea registration number AZ 8886. According to police sources, officers conducting the search discovered a quantity of suspected kush concealed in the boot of the vehicle.
Preliminary information obtained from the suspect indicated that he serves as the Drivers Union Chairman for vehicles operating between Guinea and Sierra Leone at Madina Park in Guinea. He reportedly told investigators that the substance was transported from Guinea and was destined for Freetown before his interception at the Mile 38 Checkpoint.
Security officials said the arrest forms part of ongoing joint efforts to strengthen border controls and prevent the movement of illicit drugs into the country. The Mile 38 Checkpoint, located along a key transit route, has become a focal point for intensified screening of vehicles and passengers entering the capital.
Following the arrest, the suspect and the recovered exhibits were handed over to the Transnational Organised Crime Unit for further investigation. TOCU is expected to determine the source, intended destination, and possible networks linked to the suspected drugs.
Police authorities have reiterated their commitment to tackling drug related crimes, noting that substances such as kush pose serious risks to public health and national security. They stressed that joint operations between the police and the military will continue, particularly along major highways and border entry points.
Residents in Masaka welcomed the arrest, describing it as a positive step toward improving safety and discouraging criminal activity along the corridor. Some community members called for sustained vigilance and stronger penalties for offenders involved in drug trafficking.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing, and authorities say further updates will be provided as the case develops. The suspect remains in custody as inquiries continue in accordance with the laws of Sierra Leone.
Security agencies have also urged members of the public to cooperate with law enforcement by providing timely information that could help disrupt drug trafficking and other transnational crimes across the sub region.
