Sierra Leone’s Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) has reportedly seized a large consignment of suspected Tramadol during an operation in eastern Freetown.
The seizure reportedly took place on Mammy Yoko Street, off Patton Street, on Wednesday, 2 September.
Sources familiar with the operation said the raid was led by ASP Stevens, head of TOCU’s Forensic Laboratory, alongside Tommy, an operations officer with the Freetown East Division, and other TOCU personnel.
The reported seizure comes amid intensified efforts by Sierra Leonean authorities to disrupt the trafficking and illegal distribution of pharmaceutical and narcotic drugs.
TOCU has in recent months been involved in several major Tramadol seizures. In August, authorities destroyed hundreds of cartons of Tramadol following court approval, while earlier operations also resulted in the interception of large quantities of the drug at the Freetown port and other locations.
The suspected drugs from the latest operation have reportedly been taken into custody as investigations continue.
Authorities are expected to establish the source and ownership of the consignment, its intended destination and whether it is connected to a wider distribution network.
As of publication, the quantity of the suspected Tramadol seized and whether any arrests were made had not been independently confirmed.
