The Transnational Crime Unit of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) are presently investigating a 40ft container full of disposable pampers usually used by infants. The container marked MRKU 2393976 according to police sources has come into the country with a fake address and a fake delivery address.
The pampers in the container are said to be loaded with a powdery white substance, which police are yet to ascertain whether it is cocaine or not. The said container was discovered last Friday at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay by police officers who were suspicious of its contents.
When contacted by this reporter, Police spokesman Assistant Superintendent of Police Ibrahim Samura said “no police comment, the matter is under investigation.”
Sources outside the police say that testing kits were provided for the police after the last cocaine bust several years ago and it takes just a few minutes to ascertain whether the alleged substance is cocaine or not.
So far no arrest has been made although speculation is rife over who the intended container was meant for.
It must be noted that President Ernest Bai Koroma’s administration faced a great embarrassment few years ago after an aircraft load of tones of cocaine consignment unofficially landed at the country’s main airport, Lungi, amid controversies that led to expulsion of the then Minister of Transport and Aviation, Kemoh Sesay. More so, the same administration is currently striving to repair its image in the eyes of the international community after an investigative documentary screened by the Doha based radio and TV outreach, Aljazeera, implicated the Vice President Sam Suman in a timbergate scandal.
Our home based reporters shall bring us as soon as possible details of the suspected cocaine container.
Othman Sheriff is an experienced Sierra Leonean development professional, peacebuilding practitioner, professional journalist and human rights advocate with over two decades of engagement in community development, youth empowerment, education, humanitarian assistance and international development cooperation. Born and raised in Kenema District, Eastern Sierra Leone, he has dedicated much of his professional career to improving the socioeconomic conditions of vulnerable and marginalised populations, particularly disadvantaged young people, women, children and underserved rural communities.
As the Founder and Programme Director of Youth in Action for Development (YAD), Sheriff has played a leading role in mobilising international development assistance and coordinating community-driven interventions aimed at poverty reduction, sustainable livelihoods, social inclusion and grassroots development. Over the years, he has facilitated the mobilisation and implementation of development projects worth billions of Leones, supported by international development partners, including European development institutions, humanitarian organisations and United Nations agencies.
A committed advocate for free and inclusive Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Sheriff spearheaded the establishment of the Youth Resource Academy (YRA) in 2018, through which he has championed access to practical, employment-oriented education for underprivileged youth, particularly young women, school dropouts, single mothers, widows, unemployed youth and individuals from economically disadvantaged households. So far, the Academy has provided vocational, technical and entrepreneurship training opportunities to more than 2,000 youth helping them acquire marketable skills, pursue self-employment and improve their economic independence. He also solicit funds to provide start up kits for the youth who graduated from the academy.
In addition to his development and humanitarian work, Sheriff serves as the Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Critique Echo Newspaper, using journalism as a platform to promote accountability, responsible governance, social justice and public awareness of critical socioeconomic and human rights issues.
He is a dedicate member of many international peacebuilding networks including the United Religions Initiative (URI), International Association of Educators for World Peace (IAEWP), Intercultural Leaders Network of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC)`s Youth Solidarity Fund, and the alumni Association of King Hamad Youth Empowerment Awards.
Through his leadership, advocacy and international partnerships, Sheriff continues to champion a vision of Sierra Leone in which disadvantaged young people have equitable access to education and economic opportunities, women and girls live free from violence and discrimination, human rights are respected, and communities are empowered to pursue peaceful, inclusive and sustainable development.
The Transnational Crime Unit of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) are presently investigating a 40ft container full of disposable pampers usually used by infants. The container marked MRKU 2393976 according to police sources has come into the country with a fake address and a fake delivery address.
Be the first to comment