The Director of Police Media Ibrahim Samura has disclosed that for the past couple of days police in collaboration with the Office of National Security, have been cracking down on drug trafficking in the country.
Confirming the extent of their intervention, Samura said, some 8 miles stretch of cannabis farm was recently discovered and harvested in Vamar Casery village Moyamba district, also another 6 miles stretch was discovered and harvested in the Yoni chiefdom Tonkolili district, adding that, the exhibits of the cannabis are currently under the custody of the Local Unit Commanders in the respective districts awaiting destruction.
He referred to some accusations made in certain quarters that on their raiding spree on cannabis farm in Yoni chiefdom police carted away domestic ruminants such as: goats and sheep as a figment of their imagination noting that, police did not mortgage their credibility in the just concluded cocaine saga let alone cannabis.
Samura deliberately failed to mention the involvement of the two police officers and one ONS officer who were recently tried in high court and convicted for their involvement in the cocaine deal.
On the recent public notice regarding the apprehension of Dr. Sylvia Blyden publisher of Awareness Times and Ag Editor Abdul Karim Kabia he stated that the notice did not in any way require anyone to either arrest or to mob the two journalists, as they were just requested to report them to the nearest police station for questioning.
He said police hold journalists in high esteem as they are partners in development and not enemies.
“Sylvia is highly respected by the Sierra Leone police and besides she is a credible journalist,” he said.
Deputizing the Director of crime management ASP Samuel Kargbo reiterated that police attention was drawn to the 12th May 2009 edition of Awareness Times newspaper relating to the President of Sierra Leone and deemed it necessary to look at it and institute an investigation because it borders on public security.
He alleged that several invitations were extended to Sylvia from CID but she never turned up, as such they were left with no option but to put out a public notice which he added doesn’t constitute a recipe for anyone to take the law into his hand or shoot at the two journalists.
“We still continue our investigation but do not expect anyone to take the law into his hand as we protect lives and property” he maintained.
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