WHO OWNS THE MISSING KUSH CONTAINER?
…POLICE, CUSTOMS MUST EXPLAIN
By Ibrahim Alusine Kamara (Kamalo)
It has been more than six months long since a container—suspected of carrying substances linked to the production of kush—was intercepted at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Yet, despite the public alarm and national outcry, the matter remains cloaked in secrecy, with no official update on the status of investigations or accountability for its importation.
The container in question, identified as TCNU 17239445G1 with Customs Reference 06234, was seized on May 13, 2025. According to initial reports, Customs officials discovered a cache of alarming contents, including assorted plant matter and over 90 gallons of chemical precursors. These materials were strongly believed to be components used in the manufacturing of kush—a synthetic narcotic whose destructive impact continues to ravage communities across the country.
There is no denying the fact that the authorities launched an investigation, but officials of the Customs Department who intercepted the container have maintained tight lips on the issue, though affirming that due to the intricacy of what they discovered in the container during inspection, they had since handed the matter over to the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) for onward investigation and possible action. Even so, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) could not respond to a formal request by this medium to comment on the circumstances surrounding the said container.
The mystery shrouding the incident since it occurred six months and a week now has sparked widespread concerns and speculations, with many questioning the government’s honesty, commitment and ability to tackle the growing threat of the deadly synthetic drugs in the country.
The exact collection of items found in the container, and its owner(s) have never been disclosed, leaving the public still waiting for answers as to what has happened to the container, and whether its importer(s) were brought to justice.
The kush epidemic has already had a devastating impact on communities across Sierra Leone. The drug has been linked to increased crime, violence, and mental health issues. The fact that the authorities seem to be dragging their feet in bringing those responsible to justice is a slap in the face to the victims and their families.
Many now see the lack of transparency as emblematic of a broader systemic failure to confront the synthetic drug crisis. Civil society groups, activists, and concerned citizens are calling for an immediate and public update on the case. They demand to know who owns the container, and where the chain of accountability is. Has anyone been charged? What measures are being taken to prevent similar incidents?
In a nation battling one of its most profound public health and security threats in recent memory, silence is not a strategy—it is complicity. The people of Sierra Leone deserve more than vague assurances. They deserve the truth.
The lack of updates on the investigation has only added to the public’s frustration and anxiety. The public is urging the authorities to provide a detailed update on the investigation and to bring those responsible to justice. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and demand justice for the victims of kush. It’s time for the authorities to take action and show that they are committed to tackling the scourge of synthetic drugs in the country.
Read more revelations in subsequent editions…