Questions continue to mount over why the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) moved swiftly to issue a press release denying reports of an alleged cocaine interception at the Freetown International Airport, Lungi, despite airport sources maintaining that an incident did occur.
The Authority’s prompt response has raised eyebrows within sections of the aviation sector, with some industry stakeholders questioning why it took the lead in responding to allegations that, they argue, primarily concerned the airline involved and the relevant security and law enforcement agencies responsible for conducting any investigation.
According to information obtained from multiple airport sources, the Authority’s decision to immediately dismiss the reports has fueled speculation that it was seeking to protect the reputation of the airport and preserve its relationship with Brussels Airlines, which suspended cargo shipments from Sierra Leone to overseas destinations several months ago.
At the time of that suspension, the Civil Aviation Authority did not issue a public statement explaining the circumstances surrounding the airline’s decision. While some stakeholders attributed the suspension to rising cargo handling costs, others within the aviation sector suggested it may have been linked to security concerns. Those claims, however, have not been independently verified.
In its recent statement, the Civil Aviation Authority maintained that the alleged cocaine interception never occurred. However, multiple airport sources have provided a different account, alleging that police responded after airport scanners reportedly detected suspicious items concealed in a suitcases.
The sources further claim that several individuals, including immigration officers and other personnel who allegedly handled or came into contact with the consignment, were taken into police custody for questioning before being released. These accounts have not been officially confirmed by the police or other relevant authorities.
The conflicting narratives have raised several unanswered questions. If no incident occurred, why were individuals reportedly detained and questioned? Was an investigation launched? If so, what were its findings, and why have the authorities not disclosed the outcome?
