The Director General of Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), Yankuba Askia Bio, has assured Sierra Leoneans that his management will pursue anyone attempting to traffic narcotic drugs and other illegal substances through the country's ports, emphasising that strategic measures have been put in place to clamp down on drug traffickers.

Yankuba A. Bio gave the assurance during joint operations with security sector agencies on Tuesday 24th March 2026, following the successful interception of four containers containing a total of 461 cartons of Tramadol and Tapentadol Hydrochloride (225mmg and 250mmg) at the Freetown Terminal Limited precinct in Freetown.

The drugs were discovered while being offloaded from the quay by the driver, who, according to report, was immediately arrested and placed in police custody.

The SLPHA Management officially handed over the suspected consignment of Tramadol to the Sierra Leone Police (SLP).

During the handingover of the consignment to the police, DG Yankuba Bio reaffirmed his commitment to robustness, vigilance, and transparency in monitoring cargoes passing through the country's ports, especially the gateway to Freetown.