Kankan court convicts five for shisha, 28 face cannabis charges
Judicial proceedings in Kankan have resulted in prison sentences and fines for shisha use, with a separate group awaiting trial for cannabis offenses.
Five individuals in Kankan have been sentenced to prison and fines for consuming shisha, while three others received suspended sentences for possessing and selling shisha accessories. The sentences were handed down on October 21, 2026, following legal actions initiated by the public prosecutor's office to combat drug use. These convictions were made under Guinea's 2012 law prohibiting tobacco, specifically article 12, which addresses shisha use.
In a separate case, 28 people arrested near the Milo River for alleged involvement with Indian hemp, commonly known as cannabis, appeared before the Kankan Court of First Instance. Their trial has been postponed to October 28, 2026, for the opening of debates. These arrests were part of broader operations targeting cannabis consumption and shisha use, as stated by the public prosecutor, Ibrahima 1 Camara.
The 28 individuals facing cannabis charges were apprehended following requisitions to the police and gendarmerie. After an investigation, 39 people were initially detained, leading to the 28 who appeared in court for possession, consumption, and sale of cannabis. The prosecutor confirmed these actions are in line with efforts to enforce existing laws against illicit substances and prohibited smoking devices.
Why it mattersResidents of Kankan are directly affected by court rulings and ongoing legal processes related to drug use and the sale of prohibited items.