By Saidu Jalloh Daily Scope News
Sierra Leone has launched a preliminary inquiry into reports that a vessel intercepted by Spanish authorities with a large cocaine haul may have departed Freetown on 22 April 2026.
The Office of National Security, in a press release issued Wednesday, 7 May, said it has not received formal notification from Spain about the Comoros-flagged ship reportedly seized in the Mediterranean. Officials cautioned that claims circulating in international media remain unverified and are subject to confirmation by Sierra Leonean authorities.
Inter-agency teams are now scrutinizing port records, vessel clearance documents, crew manifests, and maritime tracking data. The review, coordinated with the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority and other security bodies, seeks to determine whether the ship transited Freetown and if its movements match the reported timeline.
Officials noted that modern shipping often involves layered ownership, foreign flag registries, and complex routing, requiring cross-border cooperation and access to international shipping data for full verification.
The government said the investigation is in its early stages and no findings have been made. Sierra Leone is relying on domestic maritime surveillance while awaiting formal communication or evidence from Spanish authorities and international partners.
Reaffirming its stance against transnational organized crime, the government said it will continue working with regional and global partners to strengthen maritime security oversight as the inquiry proceeds.
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