Sierra Leone: Mano River Union's Narco State

Last week, several newspapers reported that a district court in the Netherlands had ordered convicted drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers to pay over 96 million euros to the Dutch state.

This ruling followed a confiscation procedure that initially sought a record 221 million euros in criminal assets.

Prosecutors believe that Leijdekkers, a central figure in international cocaine smuggling, is receiving high-level protection in Sierra Leone.

This week, the Gleaner newspaper reported that Abu Bakarr Naorie, also known as Buba NaOrie, has been identified as the mastermind behind a suspicious boat believed to be involved in cocaine transportation in Freetown.

Naorie is the owner of a fishing company and is currently under scrutiny due to the recent discovery of a vessel suspected of transporting illegal substances.

The fishing company has been accused of using its fishing harbor and cold storage facilities as fronts for drug smuggling operations.

According to allegations, Naorie oversaw these activities from the company's Goderich Fish Landing Facility and its headquarters in Freetown.

Despite the seriousness of these allegations, reports indicate that Naorie is being protected by law enforcement, allegedly because of his connections with influential government officials.

Observers note that Sierra Leone is becoming a "narco-state," where the drug trade significantly influences or controls the government and its institutions.

This influence is evident in the form of corruption, political instability, and economic distortion, as the wealth and power generated from drug trafficking threaten to undermine legitimate systems.