In Sierra Leone, a Pakistani national has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for unlawfully possessing 300 grams of cocaine.

Abdullah Abdul Rehman was convicted by the High Court in Freetown following his arrest on January 4, 2025, at Lungi in the North-West Region. He was charged under Section 8(a) of the Drugs Control Act of 2008.

The lengthy sentence reflects the judiciary’s firm stance against drug-related offences amid growing concerns about narcotics trafficking.

The ruling comes at a time when Sierra Leone is grappling with a rising number of illegal drug users, particularly among young people, intensifying calls for stronger enforcement and prevention measures.