March 10, 2016 By Patrick Jaiah Kamara
Abu Arnold Kargbo of No.47 Smart Lane, New England Ville, yesterday pleaded guilty to five counts of illegal drugs sales, contrary to the Pharmacy and Drugs Act of 2001.
Detectives at the Criminal Investigations Department at the New England Police Station alleged that the accused on Wednesday, 25 January, 2016 at Yombo Sieh Descendants Enterprise at New England Ville in Freetown, was found carrying on business of supplying class A & B drugs without lawful authority.
According to police prosecutor 5984 Fofanah I.G., the accused sold several sachets of classes A & B drugs including Relief, Voltika, Omaprazole, Methamidazole and Diclofenac pills.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Dr. Abu Bhakarr Binneh-Kamara told the court that since the crime was a strict liability offence and that the accused did not waste the court’s time by pleading guilty as charged, he would temper justice with mercy and give the accused a minimum sentence as stated in the Act.
In a related development, 41-year-old Theresa Baby Kamara denied allegation of being caught selling drugs without valid license, narcotic register and prescription books, in contravention with the Pharmacy and Drugs Act of 2011.
Her lawyer, A. R. Kamara, pleaded with the magistrate to put the woman on bail on the grounds that she has a fixed abode and that she would not interfere with prosecution witnesses.
The magistrate upheld his application and slammed a Le20 million bail and two sureties in like sum.
He said though that if the prosecution proved their case against the accused, he would opt for the maximum sentence.
He urged the prosecution to summon the arresting officer and the Pharmacy Board license department on the next adjourned date, 14 March, 2016.