Sierra Leone has taken swift action after seven suitcases containing suspected cocaine were found in an embassy vehicle in neighboring Guinea. The incident occurred on Monday when Guinean authorities impounded a Sierra Leone embassy vehicle and detained its occupants under suspicion of possessing “substances suspected to be cocaine,” as confirmed by Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister, Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba.

In response to the serious nature of the situation, Sierra Leone’s government recalled its ambassador to Guinea, Ambassador Alimamy Bangura, back to Freetown for a full investigation. The Foreign Minister assured that the ambassador was not involved in the incident, stating that he was not in the vehicle at the time and is not under arrest. “It has not been proven that the ambassador is involved in this trafficking,” Kabba clarified.

Alongside the seven suitcases, Guinean authorities reportedly found about $2,000 in cash, though the weight of the suspected drugs has not been disclosed by Sierra Leone’s officials. The government has expressed its commitment to getting to the bottom of the incident and holding any responsible parties accountable.

The situation has raised questions about the potential misuse of diplomatic immunity, and authorities in both Guinea and Sierra Leone are likely to continue their investigation in the coming days.

Sierra Leone and Guinea are working together on a “thorough” investigation into the discovery of suspected cocaine in a Sierra Leonean embassy vehicle, with both governments vowing to hold those responsible accountable. Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister, Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba, made it clear that anyone found guilty of breaking Sierra Leonean and international drug trafficking laws would face the full force of the law.

West Africa, where both Sierra Leone and Guinea are located, has long been a major transit point for cocaine trafficking, with drugs being smuggled from Latin America to Europe, one of the largest markets for cocaine. While much of the cocaine is trafficked through the region, drug use is also on the rise locally.

In response to growing concerns, Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio declared drug abuse a national emergency last April. The country has faced significant challenges related to drug addiction, particularly with “Kush,” a highly addictive psychoactive blend. Local communities have called on the government to take decisive action in addressing drug abuse and to provide support for dealing with users.

This latest incident underscores the urgent need for stronger measures to combat drug trafficking and abuse in the region. Both Sierra Leone and Guinea are committed to ensuring a thorough investigation and taking steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

Courtesy: National Geographic

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