Businesswoman Faces Five Years Behind Bars for Kush Trafficking

Isata Bangura, a businesswoman, has been sentenced to five years of imprisonment at the Female Correctional Facility in Freetown by Justice Adrian Fisher at High Court No. 1 on Siaka Steven Street, Freetown, for the unlawful possession and sale of kush.

She was tried on two counts of violating Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act 2008.

According to the details of the offense, on July 27, 2024, in Freetown, she was found in possession of 50 grams of kush without lawful authority. On the same date and location, she was also found with an additional 40.8 grams of kush, again without lawful authority.

Upon formal reading and explanation of the charges, she pleaded guilty.

Justice Adrian Fisher delivered his judgment, stating:

"The accused in this case is charged with two counts of unlawful possession of drugs contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act 2008, to which she has pleaded guilty to both counts. The prosecution's case was that the defendant was found in possession of a total of 98 grams of kush, along with some Cannabis Sativa and cash amounting to Le6000.00, at her premises."

In her statement to the police, the defendant admitted to the allegations, claiming she was a victim of the 2017 mudslide at Regent. She stated that her boyfriend, Unisa Conteh, traded in kush and cannabis and kept them in her room.

She acknowledged that the kush and cannabis were discovered at her residence and admitted her boyfriend was involved in trading these substances.

Justice Fisher noted that, following her guilty plea, her lawyer, D. Koroma, requested that the court order an examination by the medical superintendent of the Correctional Services, citing her history as a mudslide victim and her serious medical conditions, including abdominal pain, which could affect her long-term incarceration.

He emphasized that, under Section 14 of the National Drugs Control Act, first-time offenders may have their penalties suspended if they suffer from serious health issues requiring constant medical attention.

Furthermore, the Sierra Leone Correctional Services Act 2014 mandates medical examinations for all inmates and allows for transfer to a hospital if needed.

Justice Fisher expressed concern that the defendant had not been medically examined since her detention. Consequently, he ordered:

The medical officer to examine her and produce a report within seven days.

The officer in charge of the female detention facility, through the medical officer, to arrange for her transfer to a government hospital for examination and treatment without delay.

The medical officer to appear before the court with the reports by July 4, 2025.

During her plea, the defendant requested mercy, citing her serious health issues and her status as a single mother. When asked if she was aware of the dangers posed by kush and its deadly impact, she claimed she was unaware.

She explained that her boyfriend left the kush at her house and she was not involved in selling it. She also stated she was not consuming the substance herself.

In sentencing, Justice Fisher imposed a five-year imprisonment term at the Female Correctional Facility in Freetown.