Authorities Insist Cocaine-Linked Vessel Departed Sierra Leone Without Illegal Cargo

Sierra Leone’s Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) has confirmed that a vessel intercepted by Spanish authorities last month departed from Freetown, but maintained that no illegal cargo left Sierra Leonean shores.

Speaking during the Sierra Leone Police weekly press briefing, Head of TOCU, CSP Michael J.K. Laggah, stated that ongoing investigations indicate the alleged cocaine shipment did not originate from Sierra Leone. He noted that transnational criminal networks may have exploited gaps in maritime surveillance beyond 200 nautical miles from the country’s coastline.

According to Spanish authorities, the MV Arconian, a Comoros-flagged vessel, departed Freetown on April 22, 2026, and was intercepted on May 1 approximately 430 nautical miles south of the Canary Islands. Authorities reportedly seized 30,215 kilograms of cocaine packed into 1,279 bales, with an estimated street value of €812.2 million.

Preliminary investigations conducted in Sierra Leone established that the vessel arrived in Freetown on April 17, 2026, and underwent routine inspections by relevant authorities before departure. Officials disclosed that the cargo manifests presented at the port included palm kernel products, marine diesel fuel, and fresh water supplies loaded during the vessel’s stay in the country.

Investigators further confirmed that the ship departed Freetown with 17 crew members on board. However, Spanish authorities later reported the arrest of 23 crew members, raising concerns that additional individuals may have boarded the vessel after it left Sierra Leonean waters.

Authorities emphasized that reviews of port records, CCTV footage, cargo manifests, and terminal operator reports revealed no evidence suggesting narcotics were loaded onto the vessel while it was docked in Freetown. Officials also clarified that the vessel’s registered owner, Serenity Shipping Company, is not based in Sierra Leone.

TOCU investigators pointed out that the vessel’s nine-day voyage exceeded the normal transit duration for the route, suggesting possible irregular activity outside Sierra Leone’s territorial waters and potential exploitation of maritime surveillance gaps by international criminal networks.

Government officials disclosed that Sierra Leone has not yet received formal communication from Spanish authorities regarding the seizure but noted that contact has already been initiated through diplomatic channels and international partners to support ongoing investigations.

Authorities pledged continued cooperation with international partners and assured the public that investigations would be conducted professionally and impartially to establish the full circumstances surrounding the massive drug seizure off the coast of Spain.

The public has also been urged to report any relevant information to the Office of National Security to assist ongoing investigations.

Officials continue to maintain that no narcotics departed Sierra Leone aboard the vessel as investigations into the case continue.