By Teddy Nwanunobi
A 37‑year‑old South African citizen, Asandra Denise, was given one of the Sierra Leonean’s toughest narcotics sentences by the country’s High Court, following her conviction by Justice Andrew S.C. Johnson, on five counts of drug trafficking offences and imposed a total of 130 years’ imprisonment.
Denise, a resident of Nenvonds in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province, was arrested at Freetown International Airport, Lungi, after authorities discovered 365 pellets of cocaine weighing 5.4 kilogrammes concealed in her possession.
She was charged under the National Drugs Control Act, 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008), with unlawful possession, dealing, collecting, importing, and transporting prohibited drugs.
Despite pleading not guilty, forensic evidence proved decisive. Joseph Lahai, a forensic toxicologist, testified that laboratory analysis confirmed the pellets contained Cocaine Hydrochloride.
The prosecution, led by I.A. Kamara Esq., presented three witnesses, including the exhibit clerk, and formally closed its case after tendering ex‑officio information under the hand of the Attorney General.
In his ruling, Johnson described the prosecution’s evidence as “strong and compelling,” noting that the accused’s mere denial could not dislodge the credibility of the witnesses.
Johnson found Denise guilty on all counts, and imposed sentences of 10 years for unlawful possession, and 30 years each for dealing, collecting, importing, and transporting prohibited drugs.
The Court imposed the following sentences:
* Count One (Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Drugs): 10 years’ imprisonment
* Count Two (Dealing in Prohibited Drugs): 30 years’ imprisonment
* Count Three (Collecting Prohibited Drugs): 30 years’ imprisonment
* Count Four (Importing Prohibited Drugs): 30 years’ imprisonment
* Count Five (Transporting Prohibited Drugs): 30 years’ imprisonment
Although the cumulative sentence amounted to 130 years, Johnson ordered that the terms run concurrently.
It means that Denise will serve 30 years in prison, from the date of her remand.
He further directed that the seized cocaine and related exhibits be forfeited to the state, and destroyed under official supervision.
