Police Debunks Rumors of Missing “Kush-Filled” Container at Queen Elizabeth II Quay

The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has strongly dismissed circulating social media reports alleging that a container filled with Kush, the deadly synthetic drug ravaging communities across the country had mysteriously disappeared at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown.

In an official press release issued by the Police Headquarters in Freetown, the SLP described the claims as “misleading, unpatriotic, and a deliberate attempt to tarnish the country’s image and hard-earned reputation.”

According to the police, the incident referred to by online sources dates back to May 13, 2025, when the Combined Maritime Control Unit (CMCU) of the SEACOP Project at Queen Elizabeth II Quay intercepted 17 bags of Kush (50kg each) and 91 bottles of precursor chemicals concealed inside a 40ft container shipped from Southampton, United Kingdom. The container, numbered TCNU 1723946 and labeled Triton International, was thoroughly examined by authorities.

Following the interception, a full physical examination was conducted by the CMCU to isolate items of security interest. The Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) recorded the seized drugs, while the non-sensitive contents were secured separately. The container holding the illegal drugs was then sealed and handed over to the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbour Authority (SLPHA) for safekeeping.

The statement further clarified that, after the Executive Director of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) obtained a destruction order from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the drugs including those from the seized container were destroyed on July 31, 2025, at the TOCU Headquarters in Hastings.

According to the SLP, the destruction exercise was conducted in the presence of media representatives, security officials, and other stakeholders. Before the destruction, a verification process confirmed the type and quantity of the drugs, and a detailed post-destruction report was later shared with the TOCU Management Board and published through various media channels.

The SLP emphasized that no container is missing and urged citizens to verify information with relevant authorities before sharing unverified claims online.