The Deputy Minister for Public Affairs at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT), Daniel O. Sando, has called for a united national effort to combat the increasing influx of illicit drugs into Liberia.
Speaking at MICAT’s regular press briefing on Thursday March 20, 2025 Minister Sando highlighted that drug trafficking remains a serious national security threat, citing a recent case in which narcotics were smuggled from Sierra Leone into Foya, Lofa County.
According to him, the Joint Security intercepted a significant quantity of illegal substances over the weekend.
In response, President Joseph N. Boakai has mandated all government officials and joint security agencies to intensify efforts in combating drug-related crimes.
“This is one of President Boakai’s key priorities to ensure that every child in Liberia is safeguarded from the dangers of drug abuse,” Minister Sando stated.
He further emphasized that the government is treating drug abuse as a national emergency and has been destroying confiscated illegal substances to protect communities and the environment.
In a major crackdown, the Joint Security Team in Foya District, Lofa County, led by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), successfully intercepted a drug shipment valued at $77,200 USD.
The operation took place on March 17, 2025, at approximately 10:45 p.m, following a tip-off about a black pickup truck with Liberian license plate AS-33348, suspected of transporting narcotics from Sierra Leone to Monrovia via Lofa County.
Acting on the intelligence, security forces intercepted the vehicle and escorted it to the Foya Police Station for further investigation.
The driver, identified as Fayiah Lamie, a 43-year-old man from the Mandi Tribe and a resident of Monrovia, initially claimed he was only transporting clothes and slippers for sale, however, upon a thorough search, authorities uncovered
The vehicle lenses 772 plates of high-grade marijuana valued at $77,200 USD approximately 14.6 million Liberian dollars, 8 boxes of Tramadol valued at $842 USD equivalent to 160,000 Liberian dollars.
Minister Sando reassured the public that government agencies are intensifying border security measures to curb drug trafficking and protect the nation’s youth from substance abuse.
By Amos HarrisA