By Saidu Jalloh, Daily Scope
Justice Mark Ngegba of the High Court has sentenced David Johnson, a motor driver from Deep Eye Water on Waterloo Highway, to 30 years in prison for his role in transporting illegal drugs. The sentencing occurred at the Main Law Courts Building in Freetown.
Johnson faced two charges under the National Drugs Control Act of 2008: transporting prohibited drugs without lawful authority and unlawful possession of drugs. The prosecution revealed that on May 13, 2025, Johnson was stopped at the Mile 18 Police Checkpoint in the Kambia Police Division, where officers discovered 89 compressed parcels of cannabis sativa in his vehicle.
During court proceedings, Johnson admitted to the offenses, stating he was hired by Jelika Conteh to transport a package without knowing it contained illegal substances. He pleaded for leniency, claiming the act was unintentional.
Defense Counsel M.K. Dauda also urged the court for mercy, highlighting that Johnson had no prior criminal record and was unaware of the nature of the package.
In his judgment, Justice Ngegba acknowledged Johnson’s guilty plea and mitigating factors, but stressed the seriousness of the crime and its detrimental impact on society. He pointed out that drug trafficking poses significant threats to public safety, health, and national development, necessitating a strong judicial response.
Ultimately, Johnson was sentenced to 25 years for the first charge and 5 years for the second, with both terms running concurrently, resulting in an effective 25-year sentence.
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