The Chief of Staff at the Office of National Security (ONS) Larry Bassie has confirmed that Alimamy Kabia an ONS officer has compromised intelligence operations associated with the cocaine plane that landed at the Lungi Airport on July 13th.
At a press conference yesterday at the Police Headquarter in Freetown, Mr Bassie said that, this compromise was suspected by the service on the day following the interception of the CESSNA Aircraft, July 14.
The Chief of Staff pointed out that the ONS immediately mounted a counter surveillance operation to thoroughly investigate the suspected breach. Questions of what were the veracity of the suspicion; how much did Kabia actually know about the ongoing operations and how familiar was he with the target(s) being pursued he said were contained in the investigations.
Mr Bassie disclosed that Kabia was confronted with the facts by the Service on 11th September, stating that Kabia admitted to have been recruited by a Senior Police Officer to compromise the operations in order to assist a friend. Kabia, Mr. Bassie said was handed over to the Police by the ONS on Friday 12th September for further investigations.
He informed the public that Kabia’s knowledge on ongoing operations and his diabolic involvement in the cocaine matter in no way compromised ongoing operations or undermined National Security.
ONS he said wishes it to be known by the public that it will support the SLP and the judiciary in every way possible so that this matter is pursued to its logical conclusion.
According to the AIG Crime Services Francis Munu, Police are casting their nets open to catch those involved in the cocaine matter.
He added that in view of the concerns raised by cabinet ministers and other people, “we are speedily investigating the matter and at most within two weeks the cocaine charges will be preffered against the suspects”.
AIG Munu further disclosed that they are working for the destruction exercise of the cocaine in line with court order and samples will be presented in court as exhibits.
By Abibatu Kamara