Sierra Leone has recalled its ambassador to Guinea, Ambassador Alimamy Bangura, following the discovery of seven suitcases containing suspected cocaine in an embassy vehicle.
According to Foreign Minister Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba, the incident occurred on Monday when Guinean authorities seized the vehicle, arresting the driver and a passenger on suspicion of cocaine possession.
The foreign minister confirmed that Ambassador Bangura was not present in the vehicle and is not facing arrest. Along with the cocaine, authorities found $2,000 in cash.
The governments of both nations are collaborating on the investigation to identify those responsible.
Kabba emphasized that a full investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the discovery. The seizure is part of a broader issue in West Africa, with over 126 tonnes of cocaine reported confiscated between January 2019 and June 2024, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.