By Socrates Smythe Saywon
MONROVIA – Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh has raised serious concerns about the government’s handling of the fight against narcotics, describing it as “chaotic and laden with corruption.”
In a statement issued on Saturday, August 30, 2025, the Senator questioned how a Liberian woman was able to smuggle nearly US$200,000 worth of cocaine through international airports undetected, before arriving safely in Liberia.
“The fight against drugs is chaotic and laden with corruption,” Senator Konneh wrote. “The case of how a poor woman managed to board a plane in Bangkok with nearly $200,000 worth of cocaine, transit through Nairobi without detection, and safely arrive in Liberia is still a mystery and serves as a call to action.”
The Senator said the matter highlights “the urgent need to confront the larger forces at play, including cartels and corrupt officials,” citing recent allegations made by a dismissed deputy of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) during a press briefing at the Ministry of Information.
He further cautioned that while small-scale raids and arrests may create the appearance of progress, they fail to address the heart of the problem. “Our real focus must be on dismantling the cartels and holding accountable those government officials who shelter them,” he emphasized.
Konneh described the drug epidemic as a major national security challenge, calling for decisive leadership and accountability. “Liberia has one of the strongest drug laws in West Africa. However, the law and policies aren’t the problem, leadership and corruption are!” the release stated.
Looking ahead, the Senator pledged to push for a comprehensive inquiry. “As we look ahead, we will call for a full Senate investigation and demand public hearings when we return from recess. Together, we can mount a strong resistance against this threat and create a safer, brighter future for all. We have the power to change the narrative, and we must act with urgency,” he concluded, using the hashtag #FightAgainstDrugs.
It can be recalled that on July 12, 2025, LDEA officers arrested 39-year-old Liberian national, Quita Dolo Kosso, upon her arrival at Roberts International Airport (RIA) from Bangkok, Thailand, via Kenya Airways flight KQ887. Authorities said Kosso was carrying 3.355 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of US$181,008.
The LDEA later disclosed that Kosso, who reportedly fell ill while in custody, was treated at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Monrovia following approval of a medical request from her lawyers. On July 21, the Agency formally charged and forwarded her to the RIA Magisterial Court under provisions of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of Liberia, including Trafficking and Importation, Sales and Distribution, Possession, and Criminal Conspiracy.
Meanwhile, in a striking revelation, former Deputy Director General for Administration at the LDEA, Gwee Porkpah, who was recently dismissed, alleged that some government officials are directly involved in the drug trade, a claim that continues to fuel public debate about the seriousness of Liberia’s anti-drug campaign.
