Ms. Nalwadda tries to cover her face
photo: Peter Toby

A Ugandan lady has been indicted for drug trafficking in Liberia.

Shirat Nalwadda was indicted by the Grand Jury of Montserrado County on three counts of unlawful possession, trafficking and distribution of narcotic drug.

According to the three-page indictment, the Ugandan lady was arrested on November 30, 2013 at the Robert International Airport (RIA) by state security with 1.2 kilogram of heroine value at US$30,000, equivalent to L$2.4m, which was concealed in black suitcase.

The indicted Ugandan lady informed investigators that she traveled  to Liberia for the first time to meet a boyfriend call Ekina, who she did not know.

She said she was informed by one Nalutarya Laila, her girlfriend in Zama, Kampala, Uganda that Ezina would be at the RIA to receive her.

Upon her arrival at the RIA, she was arrested with drugs but failed to give the contact address or telephone number of the so-called boyfriend who she claims is the owner of the drugs.

Criminal Court ‘C’ Judge Blamo Dixon Wednesday denied defense lawyers’ motion to readmit the Ugandan lady on bail after she attempted leaving the country.

Judge Dixon said it was risky to grant the defendant bail judging from the prior bail bond when she attempted leaving the country and was arrested.

“Since she is a foreigner, a speedy trial is needed in her case. State prosecutors are to deliver all evidence in their position to defense lawyers so as to kick off the case in keeping with law”, he pointed out.

Nalwadda is presently at the Monrovia Central Prison from where she will be taken to court on a daily basis.

 Peter N. Toby