Sierra Leone Ports & Harbours Authority Transfers Seized Acetone Container to Police for Destruction
Freetown, Sierra Leone – November 12, 2025
In a decisive move underscoring Sierra Leone’s continued commitment to combating the production and trafficking of illicit substances, the Sierra Leone Ports & Harbours Authority (SLPHA) has officially transferred a 40-foot container filled with seized acetone—a key chemical used in the production of the dangerous synthetic drug known as kush—to the Sierra Leone Police for destruction.
The handover took place at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown, in the presence of senior representatives from the SLPHA, the Sierra Leone Police, and the Office of National Security (ONS). The seized acetone, valued at several millions of Leones, is set to be transported to Hastings, where it will be safely destroyed under strict environmental and security supervision.
Speaking during the formal handover, the General Manager of the Sierra Leone Ports & Harbours Authority commended his team and law enforcement agencies for their vigilance and collaboration in intercepting the container. He emphasized that the discovery and seizure of the acetone shipment demonstrate the effectiveness of the port’s security and surveillance systems in preventing dangerous materials from entering the local supply chain.
> “This operation is part of our zero-tolerance stance against any attempt to use Sierra Leone’s ports for criminal or harmful activities,” the General Manager stated. “Our duty is to safeguard the integrity of this country’s trade routes and ensure that our facilities are not used to advance the drug trade or endanger the lives of our citizens.”
Acetone, while commonly used in industrial and cosmetic manufacturing, has in recent years been identified as a crucial component in the illegal production of kush—a highly addictive synthetic drug that has ravaged communities across Sierra Leone and the wider sub-region. The authorities have intensified their crackdown on the trafficking of such precursor chemicals, following rising health and security concerns linked to the spread of kush among youth.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, who received the consignment on behalf of the Sierra Leone Police, praised the Ports Authority for their timely action and assured the public that the chemicals will be handled and disposed of safely.
> “The destruction at Hastings will be carried out under tight supervision,” he confirmed. “This is part of our broader strategy to disrupt the supply chain of illicit drug producers and protect our young population from further harm.”
Officials from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Ministry of Environment are also expected to be part of the joint operation to ensure compliance with international safety and environmental standards during the destruction exercise.
This coordinated action between the Sierra Leone Ports & Harbours Authority and the national security apparatus sends a strong message to traffickers that Sierra Leone will not serve as a transit or storage hub for substances used in the production of illicit drugs.
The move marks another important step in the government’s ongoing nationwide campaign to tackle drug abuse, protect public health, and strengthen border control measures across the country.
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