Clarifying the Sierra Leone Embassy Cocaine Allegations: A Fact Check

The Sierra Leone Embassy in Guinea is facing scrutiny due to claims that the Ambassador is under house arrest linked to a cocaine scandal. However, officials deny these claims, asserting that only a small amount of drug was found, and the Ambassador was in Sierra Leone, not under arrest. A government investigation is underway to resolve the issue.

On January 13, 2025, the Guinean authorities confiscated a vehicle belonging to the Sierra Leone Embassy in Conakry, leading to the detention of the driver and another individual involved. The government of Sierra Leone was notified, and it sparked significant uproar regarding possible drug possession, particularly concerning allegations of cocaine embedded in a scandal that enveloped the Ambassador’s office. On January 18th, the Gleaner suggested that Ambassador Alimamy Hassan Bangura was under house arrest due to this incident, claiming that the vehicle contained over 380 kilograms of cocaine and $100,000.

However, Sierra Leone’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Timothy Kabba, promptly refuted the Gleaner’s allegations, asserting that only seven suitcases of drugs and $2,000 were recovered from the vehicle, not the stated quantities. He confirmed that the Ambassador was not under house arrest but was present in Sierra Leone. The government continues to engage with Guinean authorities in an effort to clarify the situation and pursue the responsible parties.

Chernor Bah, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, supported these statements, highlighting the lack of validity in the Gleaner’s report and reaffirming that the official account was provided at a press conference before the article was published. Citizens were urged to maintain their trust in the government’s handling of the matter amidst public concern and demand for transparency.

DUBAWA’s investigation concludes that while a drug-related incident involving an embassy vehicle did occur, there is no evidence substantiating the claim of the Ambassador’s house arrest or the significant amounts of cocaine or cash alleged by the Gleaner. The situation remains a point of intense public discourse in Sierra Leone.

The controversy surrounding the Sierra Leone Embassy in Guinea arose when a vehicle belonging to the embassy was seized on suspicion of drug-related activities. The incident gained traction when a prominent newspaper made unsubstantiated claims regarding the involvement of the Sierra Leone Ambassador. As the situation unfolded, it prompted a fast-paced response from government officials, leading to an investigation aimed at clarifying the facts of the allegations.

In summary, while there was indeed a drug-related scandal involving the Sierra Leone Embassy vehicle, the claims regarding Ambassador Alimamy Hassan Bangura being under house arrest and the possession of large quantities of cocaine and cash are unfounded. The official statements from the Sierra Leonean government clarify that the ambassador is not under any restrictions. The situation reflects an ongoing investigation with essential discourse around transparency and accountability.

Original Source: dubawa.org