The Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Office of National Security (ONS), and the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), on Wednesday, 29th April 2026, destroyed a large consignment of tramadol drugs valued at two million five hundred thousand United States dollars.
The exercise took place at TOCU Headquarters, Rogbangba Junction, Hastings, in Freetown. The drugs were recently seized at Queen Elizabeth II Quay through joint operations involving SLPHA management, the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), ONS, and other agencies.
Speaking at the programme, Head of TOCU, CSP Reverend Michael Laggao stated that their role was not to make laws but to enforce them. He explained that one of their key mandates was to enforce laws for the protection of individuals, even in situations where such individuals might not seek protection, stressing that it remained the responsibility of the state to safeguard its citizens.
He added that the government was committed to preventing youths from engaging in drug abuse and becoming unproductive in society. According to him, authorities were making concerted efforts to combat drug-related activities through the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, which he described as the lead agency in the fight against drugs in Sierra Leone.
He assured that TOCU would continue to support NDLEA to ensure success in the fight, with the ultimate goal of making Sierra Leone a safer place for all.
SLPHA Public Relations Department representative, Aruna Momoh Kargbo, disclosed that on March 24, during a joint security operation, four containers were successfully intercepted at the port and 461 contraband items were discovered and handed over to the relevant authorities.
He noted that the destruction exercise demonstrated the strong and proactive measures being undertaken by the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority to combat drug abuse in the country.
He further reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening preventive measures and combating illicit drug trafficking through the nation’s ports.
Giving the keynote address, NDLEA Executive Director, Andrew Jaia Kaikai, stated that only capsule and injection forms of tramadol with a 50mg dosage were currently permitted into the country.
He noted that the situation was improving due to robust measures taken by TOCU and other supporting agencies.
He emphasized that the fight against drugs required collective effort, noting that authorities could not succeed in isolation.
He reiterated that tramadol had long been banned in the country and revealed that intelligence sharing among agencies had strengthened operations.
He cited a recent instance where sensitive information was promptly shared with TOCU, leading to coordinated action.
He further explained that drug abuse had led to numerous deaths, particularly among youths, with streets reportedly witnessing increasing fatalities.
He recalled that September of the previous year was challenging due to a rising death toll, prompting the formation of a joint task force to intensify the fight against illicit drugs.
According to him, authorities were now making significant progress in cracking down on traffickers, with intelligence capabilities improving daily.
He disclosed that the drugs destroyed were valued between two to three million United States dollars.
He further disclosed that, going forward, any large quantity of intercepted drugs would be destroyed within 48 hours as a directive from President Bio.
He stressed that authorities would not remain idle while the future of young people was being destroyed, affirming that strengthened collaboration among agencies was aimed at securing the future of the next generation.
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