The Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Fitzgerald T.M. Biago, spoke of the critical role of community involvement in the fight against the proliferation of illicit drugs.
Biago’s appeal came against the backdrop of a reported escaped of a suspected drug pusher in the county.
He made the statement to a crowd in Ganta, Nimba County over the weekend while on an acquaintance tour.
He underscored the importance of tackling drug issues, which he said, is not solely the responsibility of the LDEA.
“This fight,” Biago said, “is rather a national commitment that requires active participation from all Liberians.”
“The fight against drugs is not only for the LDEA, but every Liberian. Community members should get involved by providing information, and stand with us if we are to save our future generations from the danger of drugs.”
He meanwhile, highlighted the urgent need for collaboration in the battle against illicit substances.
Biago then announced that officers implicated in the reportedly “unlawful release” of a drug suspect in the county would face serious consequences.
He reiterated the Agency zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct and corruption, vowing that individuals undermining the LDEA integrity, “will have no place to stay.”
Additionally, Biago spoke of the need for improvement within the Agency. He also expressed concern over the poor performance ratings of LDEA’s officers in the county.
He called for a collective effort, urging religious leaders, motorcycle operators, business owners, traditional authorities and every citizen to bolster support for the Agency initiatives.
To incentivize community involvement, Biago announced a new reward system aimed at encouraging citizens to provide credible information that could lead to the arrest of drug traffickers and distributors.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to rebrand the LDEA and restore public confidence in its operations.
“This fight cannot be won by law enforcement alone. It requires every community, every parent, every leader, and every youth to play their role. Together, we can build a drug-free Liberia,” he added.
Biago’s engagement in Nimba was one of the key components of the Agency community outreach strategy. It aims at rebuilding trust, fostering collaboration, and mobilizing citizens as partners in the fight against drugs.