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The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) have arrested ten individuals in connection with a sophisticated criminal network involved in armed robbery, possession of illegal firearms, and the production of counterfeit documents and currency.
The coordinated operation, carried out between 19th and 21st July 2025, led to the arrest of suspects in various parts of Freetown, including Kissy, Tengbeh Town, MacDonald, and Sumaila Town. According to police sources, the raids were part of a broader crackdown on organized crime and forgery rings operating within the capital.
During the operation, law enforcement officers uncovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition, alongside computer systems and printing equipment believed to be used for the production of fake documents and counterfeit money. Among the items seized were:
- Forged New Le20 banknotes
- Fake police clearance certificates
- Counterfeit university degrees, allegedly from the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM)
- Fabricated West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results
- False European visas intended for individuals attempting to travel abroad illegally
Initial investigations indicate that the criminal syndicate had been operating for an extended period, targeting unsuspecting citizens and vulnerable individuals desperate to pursue opportunities abroad. One of the suspects is said to have confessed to being part of the forgery operation and admitted that it had been running “for a long time” before the police intervention.
The Sierra Leone Police say the operation is far from over. A full-scale investigation has been launched to determine the extent of the criminal network, its funding sources, and any possible connections to organized crime groups both locally and internationally.
In a brief statement issued by the SLP Media Team, authorities assured the public of their commitment to upholding law and order, stating that all individuals involved will be brought to justice and that further arrests are likely in the coming days.
