Sierra Leone High Court Sentences Mother of Seven to 30 Years for Kush Possession

The High Court of Sierra Leone, presided over by Justice Josephine F. Hinga, has sentenced 43-year-old Aminata Mansaray to Thirty (30) Years Imprisonment for Unlawful Possession of Kush and Dealing in Prohibited Drugs, contrary to Sections 8(a) and 7(c) of the National Drugs Control Act No. 10 of 2008.

The accused, now Defendant Aminata Mansaray, a trader and resident of Culvert, Race Course in Freetown, was arraigned on a two-count indictment of unlawful possession of 56 wraps of kush and dealing in prohibited drugs.

“The kush was for safe keeping,” the convict told the Court, adding that it was given to her by one Pupa.

Sierra Leone Police Forensic Toxicologist, Inspector Steven Alpha Turay, attached to the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) Headquarters, said the substance was submitted for forensic laboratory analysis and the test results revealed that the samples consisted of dried marshmallow leaves with a sticky feel and pungent odour, containing traces of Synthetic Cannabinoid Beam Solution (SCBS).

The Defendant pleaded guilty and begged the Court to temper justice with mercy.

Defence Counsel, M.Y. Conteh, in his plea in mitigation, informed the Court that the Defendant is a first-time offender and a mother of seven who was arrested together with her two-year-old child. Counsel further submitted that the convict did not waste the Court’s time and had shown remorse for her actions.

Addressing the Court, Justice Hinga stated that the offences committed by the Defendant posed a serious threat not only to end users, but also to the country’s human capital.

She further stated that her decision had taken into consideration the fact that the Defendant has seven children and had not wasted the Court’s time. She sentenced Mansaray to thirty (30) years imprisonment, and on Count Two, she was also sentenced to thirty (30) years imprisonment, with both sentences to run concurrently.

The Judge further ordered that the substance be destroyed in the presence of all relevant authorities and that a Certificate of Destruction be filed accordingly.

She also directed that the two-year-old child be placed in the care of the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs or a certified relative of the mother.