Authorities at the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) are reportedly grapple with non-employees overwhelming the Agency’s employed officers, including the three presidential appointees. One of such persons in now suspended, but the question analysts are seeking the answer to is: “how can a non-employee, who carried the title: Assistant chief of operations (U-704) being suspended, when his name, nor assignment recorded in the Agency’s system?” This man is reportedly one of notorious drug dealers, but has managed to beat the LDEA system over the years to the extend of positioning himself as the Assistant Chief of Operations, or Unit 704. With this ongoing allegation, the Agency Director General, Anthony K. Souh, suspended Abraham Okai Payne with immediate effect. Payne, who goes by his self-assigned rank, Major Payne has allegedly been repeatedly caught in the illicit drug trade. One of such investigations, our source said led to his permanent removal from the LDEA, but resurfaced as a county commander. An assignment he reportedly took in Nimba County during the regime of Abraham Kromah. Payne’s suspension, according to a release, followed the emergence of an audio recording allegedly implicating him instructing the release of his daughter, who was reportedly arrested in a ghetto. In the recording, Payne was allegedly heard ordering a LDEA junior officer to release his daughter immediately and further threatened the officer when he insisted on performing his duty. “The LDEA frowns upon such alleged actions which, if proven, undermine the integrity of the Agency and compromise the fight against illicit drugs,” the release said. As such, Payne has been immediately suspended, and referred to the Board of Internal Inquiry and Professional Standards (BIIPS) for a thorough investigation. The outcome of the investigation, according to a release, will be communicated to the public in due time. The LDEA reiterates its zero-tolerance policy on unprofessional and unethical conduct and assures the public that no officer, regardless of position or rank is spared when caught in any unprofessional conduct. In a related development, a leaked audio allegedly featuring the voice of Payne, went viral on Sunday, August 25, 2025, generating a storm of public debate over his conduct and credibility within the Agency. In the recording, a man believed to be Payne is heard angrily ordering junior officers of the LDEA to release a young woman, who identified herself as Sarafina Barroy. She was reportedly arrested in Careyburg, outside Montserrado County. According to LDEA officers, Barroy had been caught in a ghetto in the company of suspected drug users. During the heated exchanges between Payne and the arresting officers, her name was disclosed, further fueling speculation about her identity. The audio captures the man, in an authoritative and commanding tone, instructing officers to free her immediately after she claimed she had been assaulted during the arrest. The viral audio drew sharp attention on social media, particularly Facebook, where many questioned whether a senior law enforcement official had interfered in due process. Given the circulation of the recording, journalist Nyantee Genero Samuel Togba reached out to the LDEA Communications Office and was provided with Payne’s direct contact for comment. According to Togba, Payne initially appeared uneasy upon learning that he was being contacted for his side of the story. He promised to call back, but delayed, later returning the call only to blame network issues for repeated interruptions. Eventually, Payne offered his version of events, strongly denying the allegations. “The voice in that recording is not mine,” Payne insisted. “It is an AI-generated audio being used to tarnish my reputation.”