MONROVIA – The Officer-in-Charge of the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA), DCP Fitzgerald T. M. Biago, on Monday delivered a sweeping update on the country’s intensifying war against illicit drugs, announcing what he described as “a significant milestone” in ongoing national efforts. Addressing journalists, civil society groups, and partners, Biago said the agency’s latest operations show that “the war against drugs can be won if all Liberians and residents join hands to eliminate this menace from our society.”
Biago opened his remarks by extending appreciation to community leaders, motorcyclists, traditional authorities, religious institutions, schools, government agencies, the media, and civil society, noting that their collaboration has strengthened the agency’s resolve. “Your collective efforts strengthen our resolve to remain steadfast in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse in Liberia,” he said, speaking on behalf of his deputies, Col. T. Ernest Tarpeh and ACP Patrick Kormazu.
According to Biago, the LDEA has made substantial progress since the current leadership team assumed control, driven by improved government support and the dedication of officers across the country. Between September and October 2025 alone, the agency forwarded 178 suspected traffickers and dealers to court. The arrests, he said, cut across all 15 counties and include 55 females and 123 males. Of the total suspects, 113 are Liberians, while the remainder include Guineans, Ivorians, Sierra Leoneans, and one Nigerian.
Biago noted that the operations also resulted in the seizure of six vehicles, 10 motorbikes, and two houses, all of which remain in the agency’s custody pending ongoing judicial proceedings. The suspects ranged in age from 18 to 70, underscoring what Biago described as “the wide reach of illicit drug networks and the vulnerability of all age groups.” The confiscated substances, ranging from Marijuana and Kush to Cocaine, Heroin, and Tramadol, reflect what he called evolving consumption patterns in both urban and rural areas.
The LDEA’s intelligence assessments identified Bushrod Island and Paynesville as Montserrado County’s major drug hotspots, while Grand Cape Mount and Sinoe Counties recorded the highest seizures in the leeward regions. Biago disclosed that the total street value of the drugs intercepted during the two-month period stands at L$40,671,401.50, equivalent to approximately US$218,790.85. He also listed the quantities seized: 395 grams of Cocaine, 147.6 grams of Heroin, 5,124 grams of Kush, 4,127 kilograms of Marijuana, and 111,378 Tramadol pills.
In an invitation to the media and civil society, Biago encouraged the public to attend the drug-burning exercise scheduled for Tuesday, November 11, at Disco Hill in Margibi County. These events, he said, underscore the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the handling of seized narcotics. “We invite the media, civil society organizations, and partners to join us,” he stated.
Beyond enforcement, Biago stressed that the LDEA is prioritizing preventive programs aimed at safeguarding young people, who he described as “the most direct victims of drug abuse.” Through its Prevention and Community Outreach Services, the agency has established 14 Peer Educator Clubs in Montserrado schools and set up Community Anti-Drug Action Committees in 10 communities. These efforts, according to Biago, are essential to building sustainable awareness at the grassroots level.
Biago also reported major steps toward improving professionalism within the LDEA. On September 1, 2025, the agency launched compulsory drug testing for its officers. As of Monday, 406 officers across Bong, Nimba, Grand Bassa, Margibi, and Montserrado counties had been tested, with 10 testing positive. Those officers, including agents from all five counties, have been suspended indefinitely and referred to the LDEA Professional Standards Board. “For those who fight drugs, they must do so with clean hands,” Biago asserted.
He revealed that administrative reforms have begun to reposition the LDEA for greater effectiveness. These include reviewing agency policies, standardizing administrative procedures, rotating county commanders who had overstayed their assignments, and rebuilding public trust through stronger community engagement. Biago emphasized that “the new LDEA will not tolerate unprofessional conduct from any officer or employee,” warning that this renewed commitment to discipline marks only the beginning of a broader institutional overhaul.
Biago concluded his address by urging the public to remain active partners in the anti-drug campaign, including attending another drug-burning exercise planned for Towel Hill in Margibi County. “Together, we can and we will defeat the scourge of illicit drugs in Liberia,” he declared, reaffirming the agency’s determination to reclaim communities from the grip of narcotics and restore safety and dignity across the nation.
