High Court Judge Justice Isata Susan Sellu-Tucker has issued a clear warning about the growing threat of synthetic drugs as she handed down a fifteen-year prison sentence to Santigie Bangura for unlawful possession of Kush.
The judgment was delivered on 14 November 2025 in Court No. 5 at the Main Law Courts Building in Freetown. Bangura, a driver living at Kamanda Farm, was arrested with 30.5 grams of Kush, an offence under Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act of 2008.
Justice Sellu-Tucker noted that the case reflects the Judiciary’s firm commitment to confronting the rise of harmful substances that continue to endanger young people and communities across Sierra Leone.
According to court records, Bangura was arrested on 5 June 2024 in Freetown after officers discovered the substance in his possession. He pleaded guilty upon arraignment and asked the Court for leniency.
In her remarks, Justice Sellu-Tucker acknowledged his guilty plea but stressed that the Court must respond strongly to the rise in synthetic drug use. She noted that Kush has become a serious public health challenge, causing widespread harm among young people and placing heavy strain on families, communities, and health services.
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After imposing the fifteen-year custodial sentence, the Judge ordered that the seized drugs be destroyed by the relevant authorities. She also advised Bangura to turn away from drug use once he completes his sentence at the Pademba Road Male Correctional Centre.
Further information is available through the Judiciary Communications and Public Affairs Unit or on the Judiciary’s official website and social media platforms.
