By: Ibrahim J. Conteh
The principal Magistrate Sahr Kekura at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No.1 has on Tuesday 17th August 2021 granted bail to the tune of 500 Million Leone to one Rashid Sillah for allegedly dealing with prohibited drugs without lawful authority contrary to Section 7 (1) of the Larceny Act of 2008 and unlawful possession of India-hemp (“Kush”) contrary to section 48 (1) of the Pharmacy and Drugs Act 11 of 2001.
Police alleged that the accused on the 7th July 2021 at Lungi Airport imported 15 kilograms of Indian hemp from England to Sierra Leone without lawful authority.
Testifying in court, the first Prosecuting witness Sergeant 13716 Joseph Stevens, a forensic Analyst attached to the Transnational Organised Crime Unit informed the court that one of his duties among others is to collect suspected samples of drugs for examination and analysis for investigation purposes. He added that he recognizes the Accused Person and recalled that on the 17th of July 2021 while on duty at the Hill Station Police the Accused was brought together with the exhibit, a quantity of dry leaves which he said suspected to be Kush.
He added that the consignment of the exhibit was allocated to him for examination and analysis. He continued that upon receiving the sample, he called upon the Accused to be present and the sample weighed in his presence. Noted that all of the samples weighing 15kg were wrapped in polythene bags with the inscription on it DHL. He maintained that all eight polythene bags were open and a random sample collected for examination and analysis at the Lab at Connaught Hospital. “In the lab, independent sample of examination were performed to examine the physical and crystal morphology of the samples” Sergeant Stevens testified.
After all of the examinations and testing analysis were conducted, it was discovered that suspected dry leaves were found to have a sticky feel and a poignant odour. Moreover, in the view of all the various analysis carried out he noted it was arrived that all samples were positive of synthetic cannabinoids which is the main ingredient found in Kush. The test result was tendered in court to form part of the court records.
In his cross examination of the prosecuting witness, Counsel representing the Accused person C.I Williams argued that the actual weight of the sample was 6kg and not the 15kg as was earlier testified by the prosecuting witness which his respond was positive.
He canvassed his bail plea on Section 79(2and 3) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura granted bail to the accused in the sum of Le 500 million, plus one surety whom he said must be gainfully employed and must produce his or her employment details. He said the bail is to be approved by the Master and Registrar of the Court. He adjourned the matter to the 26th August 2021. State Counsel, lawyer I.T Bangura is prosecuting the matter.