Police Sergeant and Girlfriend Remanded in Custody Following Major Drug Bust

Police Sergeant and Girlfriend Remanded in Custody Following Major Drug Bust

A police sergeant and his girlfriend have been remanded in custody after appearing in court on serious charges of drug possession and trafficking, sending shockwaves through the local legal and law enforcement communities.

Sergeant Augustine Tamba Saffa, 35, and his girlfriend, Isha Conteh, a petty trader, faced Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah on four counts related to the illicit trade of cannabis sativa. The charges represent a significant breach of public trust and law enforcement integrity.

According to court documents, on Monday, September 1st, 2025, at Yakama Street, New Site, Kenema, Sergeant Saffa was allegedly found in possession of 799 wraps of cannabis sativa, an amount indicative of more than personal use. He is accused of both possessing and actively dealing in the prohibited drug without lawful authority. Count two further alleges his involvement in drug deals at the same location and time.

Ms. Conteh faces similar charges. Count three states she was found with three parcels of cannabis sativa without lawful authority, while Count four accuses her of active involvement in dealing the substance at the same location and time.

Neither defendant entered a plea, as they are currently undergoing a preliminary investigation. Magistrate Jah denied bail, citing the gravity of the charges and potential threat to public safety. Both defendants have been remanded to correctional facilities in Freetown, with further proceedings scheduled for October 8th, 2025.

This case highlights the persistent challenge of drug trafficking, even within law enforcement ranks, and raises critical questions about integrity, accountability, and the measures required to eradicate illicit practices from within the system.