Liberia on Thursday, June 26, 2025, joined the international community in observing the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
With a strong message of zero tolerance for narcotics and a renewed national call for prevention, education, and enforcement.
Under the global theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” the event brought together government officials, law enforcement agencies
Civil society actors, international partners, students and community leaders at a major ceremony held in Paynesville City.
A central feature of the event was the public destruction of illegal drug substances valued at USD $4.9 million, or L$949,263,015.70, seized between June 2024 and June 2025 across Liberia.
The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) detailed in a comprehensive report that a total of 9,651.32 kilograms of narcotics were confiscated during the year.
The breakdown of the seizures includes, Marijuana: 5,494.50 kg, Kush 4,040.02 kg,
Heroin 11.9 kg, Cocaine: 32.69 kg Tramadol: 68.73 kg, Precursor chemicals: 3.43543 kg,
According to the LDEA, the highest county-level seizures were recorded in Lofa County: 1,514.45 kg of marijuana
Grand Cape Mount: 58,238.40 g of tramadol, 3,507.40 g of cocaine, and 1,000.00 g of precursor chemicals
Sinoe County: 37,453.29 g of heroin
LDEA Director General Anthony Souh used the occasion to thank the Government of Liberia and international partners for their steadfast support in combating the drug epidemic.
He stressed that only a united, grassroots-centered approach can curb the growing problem of drug use and trafficking in Liberia.
“We can only succeed if we act collectively as one people and one nation. Prevention is the key, and the community must be engaged,” Director Souh urged.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Engerne L. Fahngon, Director General of the Liberia Broadcasting System, challenged national leaders to back anti-drug rhetoric with meaningful action.
“Fighting drug abuse and trafficking is not a paper war. It requires action.
We must equip our enforcement agencies, improve officer salaries, and boost border security,” Fahngon emphasized.
He specifically called on the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, headed by Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, to provide the LDEA with sufficient funding and logistics to perform its statutory duties effectively.
Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald Tweh, presenting certificates of recognition to counties that recorded major drug busts, commended officers for their vigilance and underscored the need for widespread awareness.
“Every Liberian must become an ambassador against illicit drugs. We must break the cycle of addiction and organized crime. This is a collective responsibility,” he declared.
He also stressed that the country’s young people remain most vulnerable to the drug crisis and must be protected through school-based education, parental guidance, and sustained community support.
A symbolic burning of confiscated drugs took place at Disco Hill, serving as a visual representation of the government’s ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking and abuse.
The act reinforced Liberia’s commitment to eliminating the illicit drug trade and sending a strong warning to traffickers and their networks.
The event drew participation from the United States Embassy, student organizations, civil society groups and members of the Joint Security, all signaling growing domestic and international support in the war against drugs.
The observance of International Drug Day served as a reminder of the scale and urgency of Liberia’s drug problem.
With thousands of kilograms of narcotics intercepted annually, authorities are calling for intensified investment in law enforcement, public education, and community-driven prevention strategies.
As Liberia faces the mounting challenges of drug abuse and trafficking, stakeholders agree that the battle cannot be won by the government alone.
Only through a coordinated national response rooted in prevention, education, and enforcement can make Liberia move toward a drug-free future.