South African Woman Sentenced to 130 Years for Cocaine Trafficking in Sierra Leone
The High Court of Sierra Leone has sentenced a 37-year-old South African woman, Asandra Denise, to a total of 130 years’ imprisonment after finding her guilty of multiple drug-related offences involving the possession, transportation and importation of cocaine.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Andrew S.C. Johnson, who convicted the accused on a five-count indictment under the National Drugs Control Act, 2008.
Denise, a resident of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, was charged with unlawful possession of prohibited drugs, dealing in prohibited drugs, collecting prohibited drugs, importing prohibited drugs and transporting prohibited drugs.
According to court records, she was arrested at Freetown International Airport after authorities allegedly discovered 365 pellets of cocaine weighing approximately 5.4 kilograms in her possession without lawful authority.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During the trial, prosecutors presented three witnesses, including a forensic toxicologist who testified that laboratory analysis conducted on samples taken from the seized substances confirmed the presence of cocaine hydrochloride.
The defence informed the court that the accused had elected to rely on her statement to the police and would not be calling any witnesses.
In his ruling, Justice Johnson held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, describing the evidence presented by witnesses as credible, consistent and unchallenged under cross-examination.
The court subsequently found Denise guilty on all five counts and imposed the following sentences:
10 years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of prohibited drugs.
30 years’ imprisonment for dealing in prohibited drugs.
30 years’ imprisonment for collecting prohibited drugs.
30 years’ imprisonment for importing prohibited drugs.
30 years’ imprisonment for transporting prohibited drugs.
The cumulative sentence amounted to 130 years. However, the court ordered that all sentences run concurrently, meaning the convict will serve them simultaneously rather than consecutively.
Justice Johnson further directed that the cocaine and all related exhibits be forfeited to the state and ordered the destruction of the narcotic substances in the presence of the appropriate authorities.
The case is regarded as one of the significant drug trafficking convictions secured under Sierra Leone’s efforts to combat the illegal narcotics trade.
South African Woman Sentenced to 130 Years for Cocaine Trafficking in Sierra Leone