Michael Wright, a clearing and forwarding agent, has been remanded in custody following his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at the Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown.

Wright is facing nine serious charges related to the illegal manufacturing, possession, and distribution of prohibited drugs, including the notorious substance known as “kush.”

The charges brought against Wright include allegations of manufacturing and preparing prohibited drugs without lawful authority, supplying and selling these substances without legal permission, and possessing materials intended for drug production. Specifically, Wright is accused of manufacturing and distributing “kush,” a potent synthetic drug, as well as possessing chemicals like Methymethacrylate and Fluoranaphthalene, which are commonly used in drug production.

According to the police report, these offenses allegedly took place on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at No. 61 Musa Street, Calaba Town, in the Western Area of Freetown. Law enforcement officials reportedly discovered Wright in the process of manufacturing, preparing, and distributing “kush” and found him in possession of materials critical to its production.

During the court proceedings, Wright did not enter a plea to the charges. Assistant Superintendent of Police Isatu Baba Musa, who is prosecuting the case, requested a short adjournment, citing the absence of a key witness crucial to the prosecution’s case.

In defense, Counsel S.M. Kargbo applied for bail on behalf of Wright, arguing that his client is a resident of Sierra Leone with reliable sureties and has no intention of interfering with witnesses or fleeing the jurisdiction. Despite these assurances, Magistrate Bangura denied the bail application, ordering that Wright be remanded at the male correctional facility in Freetown.

The case is set to continue today, September 2, 2024, as the court awaits further developments.