MONROVIA – Liberian musician Karwordou Cole, popularly known as “Bucky Raw,” was on Monday, December 15, 2025, remanded to the Monrovia Central Prison following his appearance at the Paynesville Magisterial Court on charges of illegal possession of narcotics and related offenses. The court’s decision also applied to other individuals arrested alongside the artist.
After hearing the charges, the court ordered that Bucky Raw and his co-accused be taken into custody, citing provisions of Liberia’s drug laws that classify narcotics offenses as non-bailable. Court officers subsequently moved to escort the suspects from the courthouse for transfer to the Monrovia Central Prison.
Moments after the ruling, tension flared when supporters of Bucky Raw attempted to prevent law enforcement officers from escorting him and the other defendants to prison. Security personnel intervened and restored order, allowing the court’s directive to be carried out.
The arrest and detention of the popular musician quickly ignited widespread reactions on social media, particularly Facebook, where the case drew both support and criticism. Former Montserrado County District Eight lawmaker and Congress for Democratic Change member Acarous Moses Gray publicly questioned the arrest, describing it as selective justice and alleging unequal treatment in drug-related cases.
In his Facebook post, Gray contrasted Bucky Raw’s prosecution with claims involving other individuals allegedly arrested with larger quantities of illegal substances who, according to him, were never taken to court. He further alleged political motivations behind the case and questioned the fairness of the process, asking what he described as the absence of justice.
Other public figures also weighed in online. Liberian musical artist Christoph the Change took to Facebook to call for Bucky Raw’s release, writing simply, “FREE BUCKY NOW,” a message that was widely shared by supporters of the detained artist.
Another musician, Teddyride, adopted a different tone, issuing a public apology to the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency on behalf of Bucky Raw over remarks made during the arrest. In his message, he acknowledged that no one is above the law and appealed to the agency for understanding, while urging calm and restraint.
The court action followed an early-morning operation conducted by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency on Friday, December 12, 2025, at Bucky Raw’s residence along Duport Road in Paynesville. The operation, carried out around 7:00 a.m., was executed under a court-approved search and seizure warrant as part of the agency’s nationwide anti-drug campaign known as “Clean Wave.”
According to the LDEA, officers executing the warrant arrested Bucky Raw and other individuals found at the premises and confiscated 31.6 grams of marijuana. The agency disclosed that additional quantities of American-grade cannabis, locally known as “loud,” were also recovered. Officials said officers initially encountered resistance while attempting to gain entry but later secured access and conducted the search within the limits of the warrant.
During questioning at the scene, Bucky Raw reportedly admitted that the substances found in his home were for personal use and not for distribution, stating that he occasionally used marijuana while recording music. The LDEA reiterated that narcotics offenses are non-bailable under Liberian law and confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine whether additional charges will be filed.
In a related development, the LDEA announced immediate administrative action against Agent Ayouba A. Kromah over a Facebook post linked to the case, describing the conduct as a serious breach of professional ethics. The agency warned that the officer is not authorized to represent or conduct any business on its behalf until further notice, cautioned all personnel to uphold professionalism and integrity, and urged the public to continue reporting suspicious activities through its hotlines 0777133333 and 0888133333 as the case proceeds through the judicial process.
