Freetown – Wednesday, 20th May 2026 – It could be recalled that on 7th May 2026, the Office of National Security (ONS) issued a press release in response to media reports regarding the seizure of cocaine by Spanish authorities from a vessel registered in the Comoros Islands. The vessel had reportedly departed Freetown on 22nd April 2026 and was intercepted en-route to the Mediterranean. Consequently, the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Security Sector, established an Inter-Institutional Investigative Committee to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident.
In fulfilment of the Security Sector’s promise to provide progress update on the committee’s investigation, on Wednesday, 20th May 2026, a press conference was held at the Police Officer’s Mess at Kingtom, Freetown. The Director of Police Operations, Assistant Inspector General of Police; Dr. Martin Senesie chaired the event.
He expressed that the press conference was especially meant to update the general public on various security operations, including the issue relating to the allegation of the seized vessel by Spanish authorities.
He ushered the Director of Strategic Communications, ONS, Abdul Karim Will to take the lead in the presentation of the preliminary report. Representing the National Security Coordinator, ONS, Mr. Abdulai Caulker, the Director reminded the public about a Press Release dated 7th May 2026 regarding the allegation of the seizure and the commitment of the sector to thoroughly and professionally investigate the allegation. He outlined the objectives of the investigating team as follows:
Verification of the identity, ownership, registration, voyage history, and activities of the vessel, including any connections to Sierra Leonean ports, territorial waters, institutions, individuals, or criminal networks.
Collection, review, and analyze relevant evidence and information related to the vessel, cargo, port operations, immigration, customs, logistics, maritime activity, intelligence, and other pertinent matters concerning the alleged shipment.
Conduct of interviews, inspections, verification exercises, and liaise with foreign authorities and international agencies as necessary to establish the facts surrounding the matter.
Assessment of potential violations of national and international laws, maritime regulations, and security procedures, including any possible institutional shortcomings that may have enabled the alleged activity.
Maintaining strict confidentiality and proper evidence management procedures throughout the investigation.
Providing periodic updates and a final report containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations, including appropriate legal, administrative, operational, and policy measures and
Conducting a coordinated investigation into the alleged shipment and determine any link between the vessel, its activities, and Sierra Leone.
Having outlined the objectives of the Inter-Institutional Investigative Committee, the Head of the Transnational Organised Crime CSP Michael J.K. Laggah, was requested to present the preliminary findings of the committee for the attention of the public.
The Head, TOCU, presented the preliminary findings of the Inter-Institutional Investigative Committee as follows: name of vessel as MV ARCONIAN, registered in and sails under the flag of the Comoros Islands, which arrived in Freetown on Friday, 17th April 2026 and departed on Wednesday 22nd April 2026. The Head TOCU stated that routine inspections of the vessel were carried out by the relevant agencies in line with their institutional mandates and nothing adverse was discovered.
He also outlined the quantity and type of cargo loaded at the port of Freetown, which according to the vessel’s cargo manifest was formally accepted and signed by the master of the vessel, he confirmed receipt of 1,151 metric tons of palm kernel cakes, 50 metric tons of marine diesel, and 15 metric tons of fresh water. That there were 17 crew members who departed Freetown on-board the vessel which spent 9 days on the voyage instead of the normal 6 days. Contrary to social media reports, the National Investment Board of Sierra Leone confirmed that the Serenity Shipping Company is not registered and does not operate at any address in Sierra Leone.
The presentations were followed by questions and answers from journalists and the security sector respectively. The security sector appealed to members of the public to provide any credible information that will help the investigations, which were said to be ongoing and elastic.
End.
