By: Kabinah Kaba
MONROVIA – The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) today announced a major breakthrough in its fight against illegal narcotics trafficking.
At a press conference, LDEA officials, including Col. Ernest Tarpeh and ACP Patrick Kormazu, reported the confiscation of 1,929 kilograms of compressed marijuana in Brewerville City on September 18, 2025.
The seizure, valued at approximately L$27,850,760 (USD 146,604), marks a significant milestone in the agency’s ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking.
Two suspects — Umar Mohammed, a 38-year-old Nigerian national known as “Degote,” and Abdallah Kamara, an 18-year-old Sierra Leonean — were arrested and are now in custody pending prosecution.
Addressing reporters, the LDEA leadership praised religious leaders, civil society organizations, and the media for their support in the fight against drugs, stressing that the latest operation sends a clear signal: “Liberia will not be a safe haven for drug traffickers.”
Nationwide Operations and Internal Reforms
The LDEA highlighted its broader nationwide operations aimed at dismantling drug networks through closer collaboration with communities and international partners.
The agency also disclosed key institutional reforms.
Eight officers assigned to Roberts International Airport were recalled amid allegations of misconduct during narcotics seizures, with two under active investigation for underreporting drug quantities.
Additionally, the LDEA has instituted mandatory drug testing for all personnel. Recent tests revealed six volunteer officers in Bomi County tested positive for drug use and were immediately dismissed.
One full-time employee, Roosevelt T. Kollie, has been suspended indefinitely pending further investigation.
Integrity and Public Safety
Reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance on corruption, the LDEA declared: “We will not tolerate any acts of corruption or negligence.”
The agency stressed its commitment to protecting Liberia’s youth and ensuring public safety, pledging to continue rooting out internal misconduct while strengthening external operations against drug cartels.
“We thank our international and local partners, community members, and the media for your continued support. Together, we will dismantle the networks that threaten the very fabric of our society,” the LDEA leader concluded.
