Sierra Leone has opened preliminary inquiries after reports linked a vessel allegedly involved in a major cocaine seizure by Spanish authorities to a departure from Freetown on 22 April 2026.
The Office of National Security said in a press release issued today, 7 May 2026, that it has not received any formal notification from Spanish authorities regarding the Comoros-registered ship that was reportedly intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea. Officials stressed that the claims circulating in international media have not yet been independently verified by Sierra Leonean authorities and remain subject to confirmation.
Authorities said they are now conducting detailed reviews of port records, vessel clearance documentation, crew manifests, and maritime tracking data as part of coordinated inter-agency checks involving the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority and other security institutions. The verification process is aimed at establishing whether the vessel passed through Freetown, and whether its recorded movements align with the reported timeline.
Officials also noted that modern maritime shipping operations often involve complex ownership structures, flag registrations, and routing patterns, which require cross-border cooperation and access to international shipping data to fully verify vessel movements.
Government sources said the investigation remains at a preliminary stage, with no conclusions reached. They added that Sierra Leone is relying on domestic maritime surveillance systems while awaiting any formal communication or evidence-sharing from Spanish authorities and international partners.
The government reiterated its commitment to combating transnational organised crime and strengthening maritime security oversight, saying it will continue to cooperate with regional and global partners as the inquiry progresses.
