MONROVIA – Former District 12 Representative candidate, Mr. Prince D. Kreplah, has formally written to Liberia’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, calling for an immediate and impartial investigation into a joint raid conducted by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) and the Liberia National Police (LNP) in the Stephen A. Tolbert Estate. In his correspondence dated November 24, 2025, Kreplah expressed deep concern over alleged unlawful deaths and injuries resulting from the operation.
In the letter, Kreplah urged Minister Tweh to ensure accountability for the reported actions of law enforcement officers, including Chief Superintendent Toby Edwin Swen, who is said to reside in the area. Kreplah noted that eyewitnesses claim live ammunition was discharged during the raid, forcing at least fifteen individuals to flee toward the Mesurado River, where several reportedly drowned. Multiple injuries and nearly half a dozen deaths were documented, including the death of a mentally ill young man known as “BK.”
Highlighting his position as a permanent stakeholder of Montserrado County Electoral District #12, Kreplah said he had received numerous tips and verified reports from reliable sources regarding the incident. “These sources allege that officers of the LDEA and the LNP conducted a raid at a location known as ‘Portray,’ near the government-owned Gardnersville Special Project School,” Kreplah wrote, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Kreplah reminded the government of the legal principle that all individuals suspected of a crime, including drug-related offenses, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. He stressed that law enforcement officers have a duty to ensure that their operations do not result in preventable or unlawful deaths. Failure to adhere to this principle, Kreplah warned, risks the perception that the state is sponsoring extrajudicial killings.
The former candidate expressed concern over the lack of public communication from both the LDEA and LNP regarding the raid. “It is particularly troubling that this incident reportedly occurred more than a week ago, yet neither agency has issued any statement detailing the purpose of the raid, the number of deaths, injuries, or survivors,” Kreplah wrote. He added that this silence raises serious concerns about the conduct of the agencies and endangers the government’s reputation.
While acknowledging the importance of lawful operations aimed at protecting public safety, Kreplah called for urgent transparency and adherence to both Liberian law and international human rights standards. “Liberia must ensure that its actions and its inaction remain within the boundaries of the law,” he stated in the letter.
Kreplah urged that a full investigation be conducted and that those responsible for any unlawful actions be held accountable. He stressed that failure to act could compel him to escalate the matter internationally, submitting official complaints to U.S. authorities, including the Department of State, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the U.S. Congress, and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
In his letter, Kreplah provided his contact information for follow-up communication, including WhatsApp and two email addresses, and expressed hope that the matter would be addressed promptly and in good faith by the Ministry of Justice. “I trust that this communication reaches your office in good faith and that urgent attention will be given to this matter,” Kreplah wrote.
The call by Kreplah comes amid growing public scrutiny over law enforcement operations in Montserrado County, particularly those that have resulted in alleged injuries or fatalities. His appeal underscores concerns about transparency, accountability, and human rights compliance within the operations of the LDEA and LNP.
Kreplah concluded his correspondence by urging Minister Tweh to act swiftly to investigate the raid and prevent further loss of life. He emphasized that timely and impartial action by the government is essential to safeguard Liberia’s international human rights standing and maintain public confidence in law enforcement agencies.
