Three arrested with a bale of jamba at Mile 38 checkpoint
Police and soldiers at the Mile 38 checkpoint arrested three men on 16 July 2026 after two of them tried to carry a bale of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis past the barrier on foot. The suspects and the bale were held while police investigated.
Three men were arrested at the Mile 38 checkpoint on Thursday 16 July 2026 in a
joint operation by the Sierra Leone Police and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed
Forces.[1]They were Hassan Mansaray and Foday Mansaray, both of Hastings, and
Mohamed Kamara, a motorcycle rider using registration AZX 348.[1]
Police said the two Mansarays were on the motorcycle with a bale of dried leaves
suspected to be cannabis sativa, known locally as jamba.[2]As they reached the
checkpoint the two got off and tried to carry the bale past the screening on foot,
while Kamara rode on alone.[1]Superintendent Foday Sorie Fofanah, the officer
commanding the checkpoint, noticed them and called his team; a pursuit ended with
the three arrested and the bale recovered.[1]
The suspects and the suspected cannabis were held in police custody while the
investigation continued.[2]The police statement gave no weight for the bale and
named no charge or court date.[1][2]
Case data
Every number and detail the sources state, with the sources that state it.
Driver Samuel Turay was intercepted on 9 June 2026 at the Mile 38 checkpoint in Port Loko District, where officers found 600.9 g of loose cannabis sativa that tested positive for THC. Charged with unlawful possession and transporting prohibited drugs, he pleaded not guilty and was remanded by Justice Adrian Fisher, with proceedings to resume on 12 October 2026.
Tankoro police arrested Sheriff Koroma, known as Mystic, at Tankoro Camp in Koidu on 25 June 2026 and seized about 95 kg of suspected cannabis plus tramadol tablets. CSP Dr Sahr Nyuma led the intelligence-led raid; investigations into suppliers continued.
Mile 38 checkpoint officers stopped driver Mohamed Sheriff of Kissy, Freetown, in vehicle AXO 085 on 9 May 2026 and found eleven parcels of suspected cannabis sativa hidden in a compartment beneath the rear seat. He remains in custody pending investigation.
Sierra Leone Police and the Transnational Organised Crime Unit found a cannabis farm with planted crops, old pits and seeds in Kpatema Village, Bo District, and arrested a suspect for further investigation.
