MONROVIA – The Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has announced a major breakthrough in the country’s fight against narcotics, following the seizure of 1,929 kilograms of compressed marijuana in District #17, Brewerville, Montserrado County. The operation, carried out on September 18, 2025, was the result of coordinated intelligence gathering and marks one of the largest drug confiscations in recent years.
According to the LDEA, the haul has an estimated street value of L$27,850,760, equivalent to approximately US$146,604. Officials hailed the operation as a decisive victory against drug traffickers and a warning that Liberia will not serve as a safe haven for narcotics networks.
Two suspects were arrested during the raid. They were identified as Umar Mohammed, 38, a Nigerian national commonly known as “Degote,” and 18-year-old Sierra Leonean national Abdullah Kamara. Both men are currently in LDEA custody undergoing investigation and will be charged and sent to court in line with Liberian law.
In a press briefing, LDEA Public Relations Chief G. Olando Demey thanked Liberians, including community leaders, civil society groups, schools, motorcyclists, and the media, for their continued support in combating the scourge of drugs. He emphasized that the battle against trafficking is far from over but that the agency is determined to dismantle networks fueling drug abuse across the country.
Beyond seizures, the LDEA has embarked on institutional reforms aimed at restoring credibility and professionalism. Demey confirmed that all officers previously assigned at Roberts International Airport have been recalled amid misconduct allegations, with two facing investigation for underreporting narcotics confiscations.
In a significant step toward accountability, the agency has also implemented mandatory drug testing for its personnel. Tests conducted at headquarters and in Bomi County revealed that six officers, including one full employee, tested positive for illicit drugs. The five volunteer officers have been dismissed, while employee Roosevelt T. Kollie has been suspended indefinitely pending further investigation.
“The LDEA will not tolerate corruption, negligence, or drug abuse within its ranks,” Demey declared, underscoring the agency’s zero-tolerance policy. “We are committed to purging the agency of any elements that compromise our credibility and mission.”
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the LDEA on September 22 recognized Commander Abdullah F. Kromah of the Iron Gate Detachment and his team for their role in a major drug bust in Jah Tondo Town. During a ceremony at the LDEA headquarters attended by senior officers and Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitzgerald Biago, Kromah was presented with a new uniform and boots in appreciation of his dedication.
Commander Kromah expressed gratitude for the recognition and urged his colleagues to remain steadfast in the national fight against drugs, assuring them that their sacrifices would not go unnoticed.
With drug abuse and trafficking posing one of the most serious threats to Liberia’s youth and national security, the LDEA has vowed to sustain operations, strengthen collaboration with communities and international partners, and pursue reforms to build a more professional and accountable institution.
“The safety of our people and the future of our youth remain our highest priority,” Demey concluded. “Together, we will dismantle the networks that threaten the very fabric of our society.”
