One Abubakarr Turay who identified himself as a driver has been remanded in prison at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown by Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No.1 in Freetown for the unlawful possession of 351 wrapps of ‘kush’ a harmful drug. He was arrested on 10th August 2023 by Detective Police Constable 10454 Sesay and appeared before the court on a count charge of unlawful possession contrary section 8 (a) of the National Drugs Act No. 10 of 2008.
It was alleged by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) that the accused, on Sunday 6th August 2023 at Old Railway Compound, Freetown, was found in possession of 351 wrapps of a substatnce suspected to be ‘Kush’.
Chief Inspector Isatu Bangura, led the formal witness, Detective Inspector Alpha Umar Jalloh, of the Regional Ross Road Police Station, Harbour Division in the Operations Department testified in the matter.
The witness mentioned that he is charged with the responsibility of doing day and night patrols and respond to distress calls.
Jalloh said he recognized the accused and recalled that on Sunday 6th August 2023 said that a team of police patrol team was on evening patrol and when the team arrived at Jenneh Wright Road Upgun in Freetown, he saw a makeshift structure which is used as a place used for consuming illegal drugs.
“The patrol team including myself entered into the said structure and as soon as we entered, some men ran away and subsequently the accused was arrested with 351 wrapps of substance suspected to be kush,” he explained.
He said the man that was arrested was taken to the Ross Road Police Station together with the exhibits, a mattress , an old freezer and on their arrival he handed over the accused and the exhibits to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
Inspector Umar Jalloh said he reduced his findings into a report, which was produced and tendered to form part of the court’s records.
The accused was not legally represented, but Magistrate Kekura accorded him the opportunity to cross examine the witness on his behalf but the accused said that he had no questions for the witness.
Before the adjourned date, the police prosecutor, Chief Inspector Isatu Bangura applied for a subpoena to be served on the Investigating officer, which was granted.
The accused was not admitted to bail and remanded at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to 5th September, 2023 for further hearing.