A High Court in Sierra Leone has sentenced a 37-year-old South African woman, identified as Asandra Denise, to a total of 130 years in prison after she was found guilty of multiple cocaine trafficking offences.
Justice Andrew S.C. Johnson delivered the judgment on June 18, 2026, after convicting Denise on five drug-related charges, including unlawful possession, dealing, collection, importation, and transportation of prohibited drugs.
According to court records, Denise was arrested at Freetown International Airport after authorities discovered 365 pellets of cocaine weighing approximately 5.4 kilograms in her possession. Forensic tests later confirmed that the substance was cocaine hydrochloride.
Although the defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges, the court ruled that the prosecution had provided sufficient evidence to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. The judge described the prosecution’s evidence as credible and compelling.
The court handed down separate sentences on each count, including 10 years for unlawful possession and 30 years each for dealing, collecting, importing, and transporting prohibited drugs, bringing the total sentence to 130 years. However, the judge ordered that all sentences run concurrently, meaning Denise will serve 30 years in prison rather than the cumulative 130 years.
In addition, the court ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the seized cocaine and other related exhibits under the supervision of relevant authorities.
The case is being described as one of the most significant drug-trafficking convictions handed down by a Sierra Leonean court in recent years.
