Police Officer Gets 25 Years Imprisonment for Illegal Possession of Drugs
The Honourable Justice Mark Ngegba, has on Friday 28th November, 2025 sentenced former officer Mohamed Dumbuya an OSD member to 25 years in prison after convicting him of unlawful possession of controlled substances contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act, 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008).
Dumbuya had pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. Prosecutors alleged that 50.0 grams of “kush”, an illegal narcotic was seized from him without lawful authority.
During the trial, the prosecution presented two witnesses. The first, a forensic specialist attached to the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU), testified that on 11th March, 2024; he analysed 93 wraps and a loose quantity of dried leaves seized from the defendant; chemical tests confirmed the substance was kush. The second witness, a Detective Sergeant from TOCU, explained that further investigation of the seized material produced sufficient evidence to charge Dumbuya.
In delivering judgment, Justice Mark Ngegba said the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the substance was illegal drugs and that Dumbuya had failed to show lawful authority under Section 17 of the National Drugs Control Act. The court therefore found him guilty and imposed a 25-year prison sentence.
Sierra Leone has, in recent months, stepped up efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse. In July and November 2025, the TOCU working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone and the Office of National Security publicly destroyed large consignments of seized narcotics, including “kush,” cocaine, cannabis, Tramadol and related substances. These operations were intended to disrupt supply chains and serve as a deterrent to traffickers.
Moreover, the judiciary has recently introduced special measures to accelerate the processing of drug-related cases, including assigning additional judges and magistrates and extending court sittings into Saturdays to ensure rapid adjudication.
In September 2025, the Sierra Leone Police signed a formal agreement with the Pharmacy Board to tighten regulation of pharmaceuticals and crack down on drug peddling and counterfeit medicines. These coordinated efforts reflect a reinforced national resolve to confront drug crimes through prevention, enforcement and judicial action.
