By Karim Sesay
A High Court in Sierra Leone has sentenced a 37-year-old South African woman to a combined 130 years in prison after convicting her on multiple drug trafficking charges, the judiciary said on Thursday.
Justice Andrew S.C. Johnson handed the sentence to Asandra Denise, who was found guilty of unlawful possession, importation and transportation of cocaine following her arrest at Freetown International Airport in Lungi.
Denise, a resident of Eastern Cape Province in South Africa, had pleaded not guilty to all five counts, which included dealing in prohibited drugs and collecting prohibited substances under Sierra Leone’s National Drugs Control Act of 2008.
Prosecutors told the court that Denise was arrested with 365 pellets of cocaine weighing about 5.4 kilograms concealed on her person without lawful authority.
A forensic toxicologist, Joseph Lahai, testified that samples taken from the seized substances tested positive for cocaine hydrochloride.
The prosecution called three witnesses and said it had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. Defence lawyer Ibrahim Samba told the court his client relied on her statement to police and did not call any witnesses.
In his ruling, Justice Johnson said the prosecution’s evidence was credible and remained unshaken under cross-examination, adding that the defendant’s denial was insufficient to rebut the case.
“I am satisfied that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt,” the judge said, finding Denise guilty on all counts.
He sentenced her to 10 years for unlawful possession and 30 years each for dealing, collecting, importing and transporting cocaine.
The judge ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning Denise will serve a total of 30 years in prison, effective from the date of her remand in custody.
The court also ordered that the seized cocaine be forfeited to the state and destroyed in the presence of relevant authorities.
