17/01/2025
Sierra Leone Embassy Vehicle Allegedly Intercepted in Guinea With Suspected Co***ne: The Story Behind The News
A Sierra Leone Embassy vehicle has been intercepted in Guinea carrying suspected co***ne, triggering a major international scandal and raising serious concerns about the possible misuse of diplomatic privileges. The incident, now under intense public and diplomatic scrutiny, has sent shockwaves across both countries and could potentially strain relations between Freetown and Conakry.
Sources confirmed that the diplomatic vehicle, assigned to the Sierra Leone Embassy in Guinea, was driven from Kambia, Sierra Leone, into Guinea by the official driver of Ambassador Alimamy Bangura. However, the ambassador himself was not in the vehicle at the time. Despite the car carrying diplomatic license plates and the driver possessing an official diplomatic identity card, Guinean security forces, allegedly acting on a credible intelligence tip-off, forcibly opened and searched the vehicle—a move that defied and violated the U.N. Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which grants immunity to official state vehicles.
The search uncovered multiple sealed containers filled with a white substance, which has now been confirmed as co***ne following laboratory tests. The exact quantity of the drugs remains undisclosed, but sources suggest it was a substantial amount. In addition to the drugs, Guinean officials also discovered an official Laissez Passé—an embassy-issued travel authorization document—signed and stamped by the Sierra Leone Embassy in Guinea. The document authorized the vehicle to travel between Sierra Leone and Guinea, confirming that it had entered Sierra Leone and was on its return journey to Guinea when it was intercepted. This discovery has raised serious questions about whether the embassy was unwittingly exploited or complicit in the operation.
At the time of interception, two individuals were inside the vehicle—the Embassy’s official driver and an unidentified passenger. Both men have been detained by Guinean authorities and remain in custody. Ambassador Bangura has denied any involvement, stating that while the intercepted car was indeed an official diplomatic vehicle, it was not his primary assigned car. There are no confirmed reports that the ambassador himself has been arrested or placed under house arrest, though speculation continues to mount.
Amid growing public pressure and diplomatic tension, the Sierra Leonean government has announced an urgent press conference today, featuring Minister of Information Chernor Bah, Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Musa Kabba, and Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu. Officials are expected to clarify who authorized the movement of the diplomatic vehicle, how it allegedly became involved in drug trafficking, and the identity of the detained individual alongside the driver.
This incident is the latest in a series of drug-related tensions between Sierra Leone and Guinea. In recent months, Guinean authorities have carried out mass arrests and deportations of Sierra Leoneans, accusing them of trafficking illicit substances, particularly the synthetic drug known as ‘Kush’. Reports indicate that several Sierra Leoneans have been detained and expelled from Guinea under these allegations. However, many of those deported have denied any involvement in drug crimes, and some have claimed they were unfairly targeted.
The mass deportations have sparked retaliatory actions in Sierra Leone, where calls grew for the expulsion of Guineans, particularly those of the Fula ethnic group, who form a significant portion of Guinea’s population and the third-largest ethnic group in Sierra Leone. In response, it was alleged that, Sierra Leonean authorities conducted arrests of Guinean nationals, with concerns that some individuals were detained based on ethnic identity rather than actual criminal involvement ( a claimed denied by the Sierra Leonean authorities). Diplomatic analysts warn that escalating tensions between the two nations could lead to broader unrest if not properly managed.
The unfolding scandal has captured widespread public attention, with many Sierra Leoneans closely monitoring developments, including senior journalists and political commentators such as Dr. Sylvia Blyden, Umaru Forfonah, Hassan Aruni, the Monk and other leading media professionals at home and abroad. As pressure mounts for transparency and accountability, the world watches to see how Sierra Leonean and Guinean authorities will navigate this highly sensitive and politically charged situation.
The Independent Newspaper will continue to provide timely updates as more details emerge.
