By Precious D. Freeman
The 5th Judicial Circuit Court in Grand Cape Mount County has sentenced 42-year-old Abass Sanor to 40 years in prison for the unlicensed possession and trafficking of controlled drugs or substances.
Sanor was arrested on August 2, 2024, while traveling from Guinea through Sierra Leone to Liberia.
Law enforcement authorities found 31 kilograms of a potent controlled substance known as “Kush” concealed in the back of his minibus. The street value of the drugs was estimated at over L$100 million.
Following his arrest, Sanor was indicted by the Grand Cape Mount County Attorney during the August Term of Court in 2024.
His trial began during the November Term, where prosecutors presented compelling evidence linking him to the illegal drug trade.
The court found him guilty on charges of Unlicensed Possession of Controlled Drugs or Substances and Trafficking of Controlled Drugs or Substances, under Section 14.89 of the 2023 Drug and Substances Act.
Judge George S. Wesseh, who presided over the case, emphasized that drug trafficking poses a severe threat to Liberia’s national security and public health.
In his ruling, he stated that the lengthy prison term serves as a deterrent to others engaged in the illegal drug trade.
In addition to Sanor’s prison sentence, the court ordered the confiscation and auctioning of the minibus used in the transportation of the illicit substance.
Proceeds from the sale of the vehicle will be directed in accordance with the 2023 Drugs and Substances Act, which allows assets linked to drug trafficking to be used in funding anti-narcotics initiatives.
This ruling underscores Liberia’s strengthened efforts to combat drug trafficking and the illegal possession of controlled substances.
Authorities have ramped up border security and law enforcement operations to prevent the inflow of narcotics into the country.
Legal experts and civil society organizations have applauded the judgment, urging continued vigilance against drug-related crimes.
“This is a significant step in the fight against drug trafficking,” said Samuel B. Kollie, an anti-drug advocate. “It shows that the justice system is taking decisive action to hold offenders accountable.”
Meanwhile, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has vowed to intensify its crackdown on traffickers and strengthen regional cooperation with neighboring countries to stem the flow of illegal substances into Liberia. Sanor, who maintains his innocence, has 10 days to appeal the court’s ruling.