Five Police Officers Dismissed for Trading and Smoking Kush

The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has dismissed five officers after they were caught trading and smoking kush, a potent form of cannabis, underscoring the force’s commitment to integrity and accountability.

Director of Operations, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Dr. John Martin Senesie, confirmed the disciplinary action during the regular police press briefing at the Police Officers Mess, Kingtom, Freetown, on Wednesday, 5th November 2025. He emphasized that “we will not tolerate any form of misconduct, especially when it tarnishes the image of the force and endangers our communities.”

The officers Sergeant Charles Harding, Constable Sulaiman Aziz Turay, Constable Allieu Bangura, Constable Thomas Anthony Momoh, and Constable Abu Harding were apprehended in separate operations targeting the illegal drug trade, highlighting the police’s message that “there are no sacred cows in this fight.”

AIG Senesie also briefed the press on the ongoing nationwide crackdown on narcotics, which has resulted in over 130 arrests in the past week. Notable seizures include:

Mariama Bangura (Brookfields) and Alfred Kanu – 707 wraps of suspected kush

Abdul Rahman Conteh (Ferry Junction) – 560 wraps

Hassanatu Samai (Allen Town) – 434 wraps

Bai Mansaray (Cline Town) – 347 wraps

Police Constables Thomas Anthony Momoh and Abu Harding (Mile 13, Goderich) – six half-filled black polythene bags of loose kush

Kadiatu Kondeh and Mariama Stella Koroma (Aberdeen) – 239 and 509 wraps, respectively

Sergeant Musa Sidikie Swaray (Mile 91) – 284 wraps and 15 sachets

Other individuals arrested include Aron Brainard, Ibrahim Conteh, Mohamed Sesay, Hassanatu Sesay, Isatu Kamara, Kadiatu Kamara, Alhaji Bundu, and Samuel Koroma. All suspects are currently under investigation, with several cases awaiting forensic analysis and legal advice.

Regional Arrest Overview

Freetown West: 10 suspects

Freetown East: 30 suspects

North-East Region: 22 suspects

Southern Region: 26 suspects

Eastern Region: 48 suspects

CSP Michael Lagga, Head of the Trans-National Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), highlighted that three additional suspects linked to the arrested officers were also detained. “This crackdown demonstrates our resolve to combat drug trafficking and protect our youth from the destructive influence of kush,” he said.

The SLP emphasized that the proliferation of kush poses a grave threat to the health and future of Sierra Leone’s youth. Its widespread availability has fueled addiction, mental health issues, school dropouts, and a rise in criminal behavior, threatening the country’s social fabric.