His Excellency the President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has created an enabling business environment for foreign direct investment to thrive.

The dominance of Lebanese enterprises in the economy of Sierra Leone, could be felt everywhere; from winning almost every government contract, to supplying essential services in Ministries Department and Agencies.

Amidst this genuine intention from the Government of Sierra Leone and by extension His Excellency President Bio, this opportunity seems to be misused to the extent that, our wellbeing and security no longer matters to them.

In a press release from the Ministry of Information and Civic Education dated 12th July 2023, Sierra Leoneans were shocked to realize the seizure of large consignment of bomb making materials and illegal drugs by the security forces.

According to the notice, it had been a long-hunt by the security sector since March 2023, when it was revealed that some people were planning to import bomb-making materials into Sierra Leone.

“A special operation was launched to identify and disrupt their activities. After months of surveillance, a joint operation by intelligence, military, and police forces was carried out on Sunday, July 7, 2024, targeting several locations in and around the Western Area. The operation was a success, resulting in the seizure of various bomb-making materials, including: 12.5 kg empty gas cylinders, High-grade TNT (Trinitrotoluene), Detonators, Firing devices, Timers and other bomb-making components disguised as powdered laundry detergents and soap.

“Additionally, on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, a further search at the residence of suspect Hussein Antar led to the discovery of 7,847,100 Captagon pills. These pills, a dangerous and addictive amphetamine-type stimulant, were concealed in bedroom refrigerators and air-conditioners. Captagon is known to be widely used by ISIS and fighters in Syria. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is $94, 155,200,” the press release states while naming Hussein Antar, Jamal Antar, Ibrahim Bashir Kamara, Samuel Marah, Abdul Aziz Kamara,
Alieu Kamara and Ackmed Bangura.

The Antar Family are a household name in the country. They have several businesses operating in the country. And for two of the Antar family members to be the subject of investigation, leaves much to worry about.

While the security forces deserve commendation for their timely operation, it is worth noting that there might be a bigger drug and money laundering syndicates which if not addressed, will be worse than the Kush pandemic.

One would not be surprise if the investigation leads to an already-exisiting factory where those materials were to be assembled just like how kush was developed and distributed in the country.

Most of these crooked Lebanese business people usually bluff that, state authorities are in their pockets, a reason they hardly get prosecuted.

Their affluent lifestyle and how they amass ill-gotten wealth, have never been a subject of investigation.
From all indications, the $94,000,000 worth of drugs seized, was never meant to be consumed in Sierra Leone, but to be the hub for regional distribution and transit.

Already, Sierra Leone was labeled as the root of Kush by the government of Gambia and Liberia which made some Sierra Leoneans face some challenges in traveling to those countries.

This shocking discovery comes with huge collaborative efforts by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the security sector and customs in ensuring no stone is left unturned in revealing the truth.

What is so shocking was the fact that the captagon pills were discovered in a Lebanese home which from all indications traces the origin of the drug from the Middle East and its link to ISIS.
Such an incident is happening in the aftermath of failed coup attempts and insurgencies.
This calls for thorough investigation and proactive measures as it has the tendency to dent the country’s image globally.

From this operation, it is evident that since coup plotters couldn’t access or import ready-made weapons, they have teamed up with unscrupulous businesses and international figures to import dangerous bomb making equipment that can be assembled in the country.
Our border and customs posts must be vigilant to detect whatever that is coming into the country.

If those dangerous bomb-making materials could be concealed and disguised as ‘powdered laundry detergents and soap’, more means could be implored to import bad things in the country.
It had been a long time allegation that cooking oil used to pass off as drinking water and cement for rice at the customs in order to evade tax payment.
As much as we continue to yearn for investment opportunities, that should not be a yardstick for our international prestige and security to be threatened as every attempt to undermine our peace and security will be strongly resisted.

Let it be equivocally stated that Sierra Leoneans are not prepared to have anything to do with ISIS or whatsoever an internationally-labeled terrorist group or their products.

We deserve better!!!