Newsline Liberia

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River Gee Court Jails Woman Five Years for Tramadol Trafficking

The 15th Judicial Circuit Court in River Gee County has sentenced a woman identified as God There Johnson of Bartiken to five years imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to charges linked to the illegal possession and trafficking of controlled substances.

The ruling was handed down during the May Term A.D. 2026 by His Honor Judge D. Onesimus Banwon in the case involving the Republic of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice against the defendant.

According to the court records, Johnson was charged with unlicensed possession, sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, dispatch in transit and transportation of controlled drugs or substances in violation of Liberia’s Controlled Drug and Substance Act of 2023.

The court revealed that officers of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency arrested the defendant on January 15, 2026 at the Combat Gate Junction in River Gee County while she was allegedly in possession of a large quantity of Tramadol, a synthetic opioid drug derived from Codeine and Morphine.

Authorities estimated the street value of the drugs at approximately LD$1,120,000.00.

Court documents further indicated that during preliminary investigations conducted by the LDEA, the defendant voluntarily admitted to committing the offense before being forwarded to court for prosecution.

At the hearing held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the indictment was read and clearly explained to the defendant in a language she understood. The court stated that Johnson freely pleaded guilty without coercion, intimidation or promise.

Judge Banwon said the court took precautionary measures to ensure the guilty plea was voluntarily and intelligently made before accepting and recording the plea.

The court emphasized that narcotic drugs and controlled substances continue to pose serious threats to Liberia’s peace, security, health and moral fabric, especially among young people.

“A guilty plea constitutes a full admission of all material facts alleged in the indictment and dispenses with the necessity for prolonged trial,” the ruling noted.

Despite the gravity of the offense, the court said it considered mitigating circumstances surrounding the case, including the defendant’s willingness to admit guilt, her expression of remorse, and the saving of judicial time.

The court added that the law encourages repentance and rehabilitation where offenders demonstrate readiness to reform.

Based on the findings, the court adjudged Johnson guilty and sentenced her to five years imprisonment at the Fish Town Central Prison, including four months already spent in pre-trial detention.

The Clerk of Court was also ordered to issue the necessary commitment documents and forward copies of the ruling to prison authorities for immediate ex*****on of the sentence.

Post Credit: Verity Online Nees

UPDATE:
Uganda Ministry of Health has confirmed three new Ebola cases in the country, bringing the total number to five. The new cases include a health worker who attended to the initial patient, the driver who transported the first confirmed case, and a Congolese national.

Source: NTV Uganda

Update
The Ministry of Health, National Public Health Institute of Liberia and the John F. Kennedy Hospital dismissed information circulating the internal about the suspected Ebola case in Liberia.

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