By Mohamed J Kargbo
Desmond Charles Bamidele Frazer and Hannah Alimamy appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of the Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown, facing six charges related to the possession of materials intended for the manufacturing of drugs without authority, as per section 10(a) of the National Drug Control Act 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008.
The charges stem from an incident on Monday, December 18, 2023, at No.19 Mudge Farm, Wilkinson Road, Freetown, where Frazer and Alimamy were allegedly found in possession of various materials used in drug manufacturing.
These materials included twenty-nine polythene bags weighing 49.3 kilograms of dried leaves, thirty-three plastic containers with liquid substances suspected to be precursor chemicals, and ten transparent plastic containers containing liquid substances with specific inscriptions.
Prosecutor ASP Ibrahim Mansaray presented the first witness, Joseph Stevens, a forensic analyst with the Sierra Leone Police, attached to the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU).
Stevens testified that on December 20, 2023, he received and analyzed the materials collected by Detective Sergeant 20310, conducting presumptive analysis and examination to determine their nature.
In response, the defense counsel applied for bail on behalf of the accused persons. However, Magistrate Sahr Kekura refused bail, citing the seriousness of the case and its public interest implications. Consequently, Frazer and Alimamy were remanded to the Correctional Centers.
The case was adjourned to April 5, 2024, for further proceedings.
