Jubilation erupted in the streets of Bo on Thursday, 25th September 2025, as residents celebrated the arrest of Dide Maxwell, a notorious drug dealer whose reign of terror had plagued the region for years.

The 58-year-old suspect, long believed to be protected by powerful connections, was apprehended in a decisive operation led by the Sierra Leone Police (SLP).

Maxwell’s arrest marks a major victory in the national fight against drug trafficking, under the firm leadership of Inspector General of Police (IGP) William Fayia Sellu. According to police sources, he was apprehended with a cache of illegal substances, including 148 wraps of suspected kush, one sachet of green leaf, a loose quantity of suspected cannabis, an electronic scale, and an undisclosed amount of cash, all believed to be proceeds of his illicit trade.

The arrest follows a recent visit by IGP Sellu to the south-east region, where he issued stern warnings to police commanders, demanding concrete results in the ongoing war against drugs. The subsequent reshuffling of key regional leadership posts appears to be yielding results, with Maxwell’s capture hailed as a turning point.

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“He has been untouchable for too long,” said one jubilant resident. “We finally see light at the end of the tunnel.”

Maxwell is currently being held at the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) in Hastings, where he is undergoing intensive investigation. Authorities are optimistic that his arrest will lead to further breakthroughs in dismantling the broader drug network in the region.

This development signals renewed momentum in the national anti-drug campaign, as communities across Sierra Leone continue to grapple with the devastating impact of narcotics on youth and public safety.