Magistrate Gershon Macarthy has handed over tonnes of free healthcare drugs that was intercepted by police at Mano Junction to Commissioner Andrew Mustapha Kamara, Regional Police Commander, Eastern Province.

The drugs were handed over after the driver in charge of the vehicle transporting the said drugs pleaded guilty to the crime of unlawful possession of free healthcare drugs. The said driver was fined the sum of NLe 800 while the said drugs were forfeited to the State.

In response to the decision taken by the court, Commissioner Kamara appreciated Magistrate Macarthy for allocating some of the drugs to the police. He promised that the donated drugs will be distributed accordingly to benefit the force.

Free healthcare drugs are meant for children under 5-year-old and lactating mothers. Sierra Leone is among countries currently under a free healthcare plan for young children below five and lactating mothers.

The scheme was first introduced by former President Ernest Bai Koroma in order to reduce the rate of infant mortality in the country which was among the highest in the world.