Magistrate Marke Ngegba of Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown, on Thursday 23 March 2023, remanded Mohamed Sesay and Osman Bangura for unlawful possession of 462 strips of tramadol at the Lungi International Airport.

The accused persons were arraigned in Court for two counts of charges of contravention of requirements under Section 59(1) of the Pharmacy and Drug Act of 2002.

According to the Police, the accused allegedly on Wednesday 1 February 2023, at the Freetown international airport Lungi in Freetown; were found in possession of four hundred and sixty -two (462) strips of new Royal Tramadol which is 225mg tablets weighing 267.9 grams without lawful excuse.

Meanwhile, Police stated that the accused were also found in possession of one hundred and thirty-eight (138) strips of tramadol tablets weighing 83.9 grams without lawful excuse.

However, the accused persons did not take a plea after the charges were read and explained to them because it is a felonious offense.

Furthermore, defense Counsel K T Dauda tried to secure conditional release for the accused but to no avail. The bail plea was canvassed on Section 79 of the Criminal Procedure Act No 32 of 1965.

Magistrate Ngegba remanded both accused persons at the male correctional center.

The matter was however adjourned to Thursday 30 March 2023, for another hearing.