The Officer-In-Charge of the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA), has confiscated 1,929 kilograms of compressed marijuana in District #17, Brewerville City, Montserrado County.
The bust followed a carefully coordinated intelligence on those involved in the illegal trade.
The latest development in the drug fight, (seizure), has an estimated street value of L$27,850,760, an equivalent of approximately US$146,604.
The operation, according to the Agency, marks a major victory in our fight against drug trafficking and is a clear message to all, who engage in this illegal trade: Liberia will not be a safe haven for drug traffickers.
LDEA also confirmed the arrest of two suspects, identified as Umar Mohammed, 38, a Nigerian national commonly known as Degote. Mohammed is a drug trafficker within the West Africa Subregion, and Abdullah Kamara, 18 years old, and a Sierra Leonean national.
Both suspects are currently in LDEA custody, undergoing investigation.
They will be appropriately charged and forwarded to court in accordance with the laws.
Nationwide Operations and Institutional Reform
The LDEA continues to make strategic arrests and confiscations as part of the Agency ongoing nationwide operations.
“We are intensifying our collaboration with communities, civil society organizations, and international partners to root out drug networks and dismantle their operations at every level,” the OIC, T.M. Biago said.
“Since our appointment, we have committed ourselves to redefining the operational scope of the Agency. This includes a comprehensive review of internal protocols and procedures to ensure the LDEA becomes more professional, transparent, and accountable.”
“As part of our reform efforts, we have withdrawn all LDEA personnel assigned at the Roberts International Airport due to concerns of misconduct. Out of eight officers recalled, two are currently under investigation for underreporting the quantity of narcotics confiscated during a recent airport seizure.