Sen. Konneh Warns Of Worsen ‘Drugs Cartel’

Gbarpolu County Senator, Amara Konneh, has raised alarm over the “infiltration of country’s drug fight by powerful cartels.”

Konneh accused government of punishing whistleblowers, instead of rewarding them in the drug fight.

‎‎In a detailed statement, Konneh pointed to recent development at the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) as evidence of ‘cartel influence.’

He noted that officers, who livestreamed the arrest of a Liberian woman suspected of trafficking drugs at Roberts International Airport, were “suspended and reassigned, rather than promote to remain vigilant.”

‎‎Similarly, the LDEA Deputy for Administration, who publicly alleged that “powerful government officials” were involved in the illicit drug trade during a live press briefing, was dismissed from his post. A similar smell of unnoticeable foul in the drug fight.

‎“The cartel is at work,” Konneh declared, warning that these actions by the government, including the dismissal of officials and reassignment of ‘whistle blowers’ sent the wrong message in a country where drugs are devastating the youthful population.

“Young users and individuals struggling with addiction, the true victims in this situation, need our support, not the neglect that has resulted from the mess at the LDEA.”

‎‎Konneh’’s criticism follows President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s recent decision to sack the agency top three, and subsequently appoint an interim management team.

Though, the President defended the shake-up as “necessary to restore professionalism and intensify the fight against narcotics,” Konneh is still skeptical about the decision unless the situation gets better.

He argued that the frequent firings, twice in 18 months, highlight deeper problems tied to “political interference and cartel infiltration.”

‎‎Liberia’s drug epidemic continues to worsen, with addiction tearing through communities, and fueling crimes. As Konneh put it, what the country needs is not “political maneuvering,” but competent leadership capable of confronting both traffickers and their alleged protectors.