By Samuel Flomo, Jr.
The newly appointed Bong County Commander of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Thomas Saye, has accused the Gbarnga Magisterial Court of repeatedly releasing alleged drug suspects, warning that the court’s actions are fueling crime across the county.
Commander Saye reported that a notorious drug suspect, Vesselee, previously arrested and forwarded for prosecution, has been released and is now moving freely around Gbarnga.
He described this act as a severe failure of the justice system and a direct threat to public safety.
According to him, releasing suspects without proper court hearings is not an isolated incident, but a recurring pattern among some magisterial courts in the county, undermining law enforcement efforts and emboldening criminal elements.
Despite these systemic failures, the LDEA has continued its operations, arresting three additional alleged drug suspects, Peter Toukac, McCarthy Freeman, and Joyceful Wesseh, who are now being processed for court submission and further investigation.
Saye emphasized that law enforcement efforts are severely hindered when the legal system allows known criminals to escape justice, creating an environment where crime thrives unchecked.
He warned that the continued release of drug suspects sends a dangerous signal to both criminals and the public, eroding confidence in the rule of law and jeopardizing the safety of communities across Bong County.
The repeated failure of certain legal actors to follow due process has, in Saye’s view, made it nearly impossible for law enforcement agencies to carry out their mandate effectively.
He stressed that immediate corrective measures are urgently needed to restore faith in the justice system.
While the LDEA remains committed to tackling drug-related crimes in Bong County, the persistence of court releases threatens to undo these efforts and perpetuate a cycle of impunity.
Meanwhile, Bong County Attorney Jonathan Flomo has promised a response to the allegations in due course.