Woman Caught with Cocaine Sentenced to 35 Years

High Court Judge, Honourable Justice Khalilah Diana Kamara, has sentenced Hawa Dukuly to thirty-five (35) years’ imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of drugs.

The offence occurred on 11 June 2025 at Lungi in the North-West Region of Sierra Leone, where the accused was found in possession of 800.4 grams of cocaine without lawful authority.

During her arraignment before the High Court, Dukuly pleaded guilty to the charge.

In plea mitigation, defence counsel urged the court to exercise leniency, informing the court that the convict is a mother of two and the primary caregiver for her children.

Delivering her judgment, Justice Kamara acknowledged the guilty plea and the mitigation advanced by the defence but held that the seriousness of the offence outweighed the mitigating factors.

“Considering the gravity of the offence, the guilty plea, and the mitigation arguments, the court finds that these do not diminish the serious nature of the crime committed,” the judge stated.

She further emphasised the significance of the case in the national fight against drug trafficking, noting that sentencing must send a strong deterrent message to would-be offenders.

“Sentencing must serve as a deterrent to others. Therefore, in light of all the circumstances, the court hereby sentences the defendant to 35 years’ imprisonment,” Justice Kamara ruled.

The court also ordered that the 800.4 grams of cocaine seized from Dukuly be destroyed by authorised officers in the presence of accredited witnesses, with a certificate of destruction to be filed in court within seven working days after the exercise.