Kush Case Committed to High Court
By Fatmata Mohamed Bangura
Twenty-three-year-old Prince Mustapha Massaquoi has been committed to stand trial in the High Court after appearing before Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah of the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1 on a charge of possession of a prohibited drug without lawful authority, contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drug Control Act 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008).
According to the particulars of offence, on Sunday, 1st December 2024, at Caulker Street, Wellington in Freetown, the accused was allegedly found in possession of a quantity of the prohibited substance known locally as Kush, without lawful authority.
Detective Inspector Fourad Swarray, attached to the Family Defense Unit, testified in court. He recalled that on the said date, while on duty at the Wellington Police Post, one Angle Cole arrived with the accused, alleging that Massaquoi had been entrusted with a bag containing chains valued at Seventy-Five Thousand Leones (Le75,000).
During questioning, the accused admitted that the bag indeed belonged to him but revealed that it contained drugs. Acting on this information, Inspector Swarray, together with DPC 1400 Koroma O. and DPC 17891 Daramy I, proceeded to the accused’s residence to conduct a search.
During the search, officers discovered a bag containing another plastic bag, which held three chains and a quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Kush. A search warrant was endorsed, signed by all parties, and the accused affixed his right thumbprint to confirm its authenticity. The warrant was produced and tendered in court as Exhibit A. The arresting officer’s report was also tendered.
Inspector Swarray further testified that a voluntary statement was obtained from the accused the same day. The statement was taken in Krio, recorded in English, and confirmed by the accused with his thumbprint in the presence of DPC Daramy. This statement was also tendered in evidence.
The witness added that the matter was later transferred to the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) for further investigation. On 19th December 2024, another voluntary statement was obtained from the accused, which he again confirmed to be true and correct by affixing his thumbprint.
Following the close of the prosecution’s case, Prosecutor A.B.N. Taylor informed the court that the State had concluded its presentation of evidence.
In his ruling, Magistrate Jah committed the accused, Prince Mustapha Massaquoi, to stand trial in the High Court of Sierra Leone and ordered that he be remanded in custody pending trial.
