A High Court in Sierra Leone has sentenced a 37-year-old South African national, Asandra Denise, to 130 years in prison over cocaine trafficking.
She was busted at the Freetown International Airport (Lungi) after customs officials discovered 365 pellets of cocaine weighing 5.4kg in her possession.
The prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. She was convicted on 5 counts, including possession, importation, transportation, dealing, and collection.
Asandra Denise, a resident of Nenvonds in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, was arraigned on a five-count indictment of Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Drugs, Dealing in Prohibited Drugs, Collecting Prohibited Drugs, Importing Prohibited Drugs, and Transporting Prohibited Drugs, contrary to Sections 8(a) and 7(b) and (c) of the National Drugs Control Act, 2008 Act No. 10 of 2008.
According to the particulars of offence, the Defendant was arrested at the Freetown International Airport, Lungi, in the North-West Region of Sierra Leone, after she was found in possession of Three Hundred and Sixty-Five (365) pillets of cocaine weighing approximately 5.4 kilograms, without lawful authority.
The Defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Testifying in Court, Joseph Lahai, a Forensic Toxicologist, stated that two pillets containing white powder were selected as samples from the exhibits, amounting to 10.5 grams, for laboratory examination and analysis. He informed the Court that the samples tested positive for traces of Cocaine Hydrochloride.
Representing the accused, Ibrahim Samba Esq., informed the Court that, having conferred with his client and in the absence of Defence Witnesses, the Defendant elected to rely on the statement she had made to the police.
The Prosecution called three witnesses, including the Forensic Toxicologist and the Exhibit Clerk. He told the Court that they were satisfied with their case.
“My Lord, having led all our witnesses, the Prosecution now wishes to tender the ex-officio information under the hand of the learned Attorney General pursuant to Section 153(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024 Act No. 8 of 2024,” said I.A. Kamara Esq., before formally closing the Prosecution’s case.
In delivering judgment, Honourable Justice Andrew S.C. Johnson stated that, having carefully considered all the evidence before the Court, he found the Prosecution Witnesses to be credible and their testimony materially unshaken under cross-examination.
Though the sentences total 130 years, the court ordered them to run concurrently from the date of her remand.
The court has ordered the immediate forfeiture and destruction of the 5.4kg of cocaine.
