On Wednesday, 12th November 2025, law enforcement stakeholders converged at the Transnational Organised Crime Unit’s (TOCU) HQ at Hastings to undertake the third destruction exercise of drugs worth millions of dollars for the year 2025. The first destruction exercise was done on 17th February, followed by the second on 31st July and on 12th November 2025, respectively. The separate destruction exercises are testaments to the zero tolerance posture and commitment of the state’s law enforcement agencies in the fight against drugs and other substance abuse.
The destruction of seized-drugs is in line with the legal policy, which gives mandate for the early destruction of illegal drugs and other substances with the objective of eliminating the chances of redistributing them into communities. Drugs and substances of various categories, including Royal Tramadol (225mg), Marijuana, Kush, Acetone, expired cigarettes, drugs making equipment, etc. were among the items destroyed.
Present at the destruction site were lead agencies from the National Drugs Law Enforcement, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Sierra Leone Police, the Judiciary, the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone, the Fourth Estate, Civil Society, Religious Clerics, the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbour Authority and the Office of National Security, among others. Speaker after speaker registered his revulsion at the attitude of drug barons and pledged commitment to sustaining the fight against the drug abuse plague.
The Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, representing the Minister of Internal Affairs, made the keynote address. He highlighted the government’s efforts and commitment in the fight against drug abuse and stressed the importance of collective action in eradicating the drug abuse menace in Sierra Leone. He recommended the involvement of the Ministry of Youth Affairs in future events owing to the fact that the menace is mainly targeting and affecting people within the youth-age bracket. The Deputy Minister also expressed that the drug abuse problem has escalated to a critical level, posing significant challenges to the state.
In light of this, he urged all citizens to actively participate in the government’s resolve to addressing the problem by ensuring that efforts to combat all drug-related problems are treated as a national concern and with utmost seriousness. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, including policymakers and law enforcement agencies, in effectively combating the narcotics menace plaguing the country.
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