Sierra Leone’s ambassador to Guinea, Alimamy Bangura, has been recalled following the discovery of seven suitcases containing suspected cocaine in a vehicle belonging to the Sierra Leonean embassy.
Guinean authorities detained the vehicle’s occupants on Monday after discovering “substances suspected to be cocaine,” according to Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister, Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba.
The minister confirmed that the ambassador was not in the vehicle at the time and is not under arrest, but he has been called back to Freetown to provide a detailed explanation of the incident.
“In light of this serious development, the government has urgently recalled Sierra Leone’s ambassador to Guinea…to provide a full account of the incident,” Kabba stated, adding, “It has not been proven that the ambassador is involved in this trafficking.”
Guinean officials also reportedly found $2,000 in cash alongside the suspected drugs, though the exact quantity of the substances remains undisclosed. Kabba emphasized that Sierra Leone is fully cooperating with Guinea in an extensive investigation, vowing accountability for anyone implicated.
“Anyone found guilty of breaking Sierra Leonean and international drug trafficking laws will face the full force of the law,” he pledged.
This incident sheds light on West Africa’s persistent role as a transit hub for cocaine trafficking from Latin America to Europe. While most of the drugs are destined for international markets, local consumption has been on the rise.
Sierra Leone has been grappling with a growing drug crisis, with President Julius Maada Bio declaring drug abuse a national emergency in April. The rise of “Kush,” a dangerous mix of addictive substances, has plagued local communities, prompting calls for government intervention to address both trafficking and the social impact of drug abuse.
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