SLP Records 231 Drug and Crime Raids Nationwide, Introduces New Uniforms and Drones
The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has announced major security gains after conducting 231 coordinated raids across the country in the past week, arresting 164 suspects linked to drug related and other criminal activities.
According to the weekly breakdown presented during the SLP press conference on Wednesday 3rd December 2025, 20 raids in Freetown West led to 18 arrests, while 23 raids in Freetown East saw 33 suspects taken into custody. The Northern regions recorded 60 raids with 37 arrests in the North-West and 33 raids with 15 arrests in the North-East. Police operations in the Southern and Eastern regions resulted in 38 and 23 arrests respectively.
Speaking at the Senior Police Officers’ Mess in Kingtom, ACP Alieu Turay, Director of SLP Support Services, also unveiled the force’s new standardized uniform, which he said is designed with improved quality and will ensure a single professional identity for officers across different units and operations. He stressed that the era of mixed and inconsistent police apparel is now over as the institution strengthens discipline and visibility.
The press briefing also featured the introduction of two newly acquired drones capable of deploying non-lethal teargas to assist in managing public disorder situations. ACP Turay explained that the technology will allow the SLP to better secure large events and disperse violent assemblies while minimizing risks to both civilians and officers.
ACP Brima Kamara, Head of Police Media and Public Relations, assured the public that the overall security situation in the country remains calm and stable. He disclosed that as part of their festive season preparedness; 18 solar street lights and 13 CCTV security cameras have been installed along the busy Lumley-Aberdeen beach stretch to improve safety for residents and visitors.
CSP Rev. Michael Laggah, head of the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), reported intensified efforts to combat narcotics and harmful drug abuse, including a new on the spot drug testing regime for police officers. He warned that any officer testing positive would not be shielded, noting that the law would be applied fully to uphold professionalism and restore public confidence.
The developments form part of the wider duties of the Sierra Leone Police, which include maintaining internal security, protecting lives and property, preventing crime, and partnering with communities to resolve safety concerns. Recent institutional reforms have emphasized better training, improved logistics, and technology driven policing to make the force more responsive and accountable.
Under the leadership of Inspector General William Fayia Sellu, the SLP has made public safety upgrades a central priority. His tenure has seen the rollout of surveillance systems in key public areas, personnel reforms to strengthen command structures, and the introduction of new policing tools designed to modernize operations. The IGP has repeatedly emphasized professionalism, community engagement, and the transformation of the SLP into a trusted service for all citizens.
With the launch of the new uniforms, the deployment of teargas equipped drones, and the continued clampdown on drugs and criminality, the police leadership says it is firmly committed to advancing national security and creating a safer environment for every Sierra Leonean.
