Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency Apprehends 11 Smugglers in Multiple Anti-Narcotics Operations

Monrovia, Liberia: In a cross-counties anti-drug operation, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has arrested eleven suspects, including two Nigerian nationals and nine Liberians, across six counties.

The arrests, which occurred between May 14 and May 27, 2025, led to the confiscation of several types of narcotics with a street value of over 1.3 million Liberian dollars, or the equivalent of US$6,070, during separate operations in River Gee, Montserrado, Grand Kru, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, and Lofa Counties, respectively.

By: Abraham Sylvester Panto

Leading the high-value seizure was the arrest of 30-year-old Nigerian national only identified as KC Okonkwo at the Combat Gates checkpoint in River Gee County.

LDEA agents discovered 105.9 grams of heroin and 101 grams of precursor substances hidden inside an old television set. The street value of the narcotics seized during this operation is estimated at USD $3,660 or LRD 695,400. Suspect Okonkwo is currently undergoing investigation at the LDEA’s Fish Town office and will be forwarded to court once preliminary proceedings conclude.

On Unification Day, May 14, 2025, agents stationed at Zwedru Gate One arrested another Nigerian national, 41-year-old Emeka A. Peters, while he was in transit from Monrovia to Maryland County. A total of 232 grams of mixed cocaine, valued at USD $928 or LRD 176,320, was found in his possession during a search at the checkpoint.

Five days later, on May 19, 2025, in Grand Cape Mount County, a similar search executed by the LDEA at the residence of 39-year-old Helena Joe in the Fanti Town Community, Robertsport, yielded 0.25 kilograms of marijuana, four strips of tramadol, and four grams of Kush. The substances had a street value of LRD 35,530. Helena Joe was arrested, investigated, and formally charged before being transferred to the Robertsport Magisterial Court for prosecution.

In a related operation conducted on the same day, a court-sanctioned search and seizure in River Gee County’s Tienpo and Younken communities resulted in the arrest of three Liberian females: 38-year-old Tetee Bestman, 41-year-old Naomi Bestman, and 22-year-old Lovetee Jimmy.

Officers discovered a half plate of compressed marijuana, six marijuana wraps, and one bottle of marijuana-infused King Juice, with a combined street value of LRD 15,600. The suspects remain in LDEA custody in Fish Town pending formal charges.

On May 21, 2025, in the Foya District of Lofa County, a buy-and-bust operation led to the arrest of 54-year-old Tinneh Willey, who was caught red-handed delivering marijuana. A subsequent search uncovered 300 wraps of marijuana, cannabis stems, and a plastic container filled with marijuana.

The drugs, valued at LRD 22,995, were immediately confiscated. Willey has been charged and is now awaiting trial before the Voinjama City Magisterial Court.

On the same date, in Grand Kru County, LDEA operatives apprehended 46-year-old Rose Toe, a resident of Buah Geeken, in possession of a major cache of illegal narcotics. Items seized included seven kilograms of high-grade marijuana, 66 wraps of Kush, and 35 packs of premium tobacco. The total estimated street value of the seizure was LRD 175,236, equivalent to approximately USD $923. The suspect was duly charged and transferred to court for prosecution under applicable laws.

With a combined street value of over LRD 1.3 million worth of narcotics now secured in LDEA custody and eleven suspects removed from Liberia’s growing drug ecosystem, the agency concluded by reiterating its mandate to pursue every offender without compromise and to maintain public safety through lawful, accountable, and sustained enforcement action.

On May 24, 2025, agents of the LDEA Schiefflin Town Detail conducted a successful operation in Montserrado County, arresting three Liberian nationals identified as Lawrence Keita, 28; Emmanuel Jimmy, 25; and Junior Brown, 24, with 37 wraps and one arm of Kush.

The illicit substances were seized between the R2 and Duazon corridors and carried an estimated street value of USD $865 or LRD 164,350. Following a thorough investigation, all three individuals were charged and remanded at the Bonowan Central Prison.

With the arrests of eleven suspects—spanning a demographic range of 22 to 54 years—LDEA officials are emphasizing the agency’s determination to dismantle trafficking networks, target high-risk corridors, and prosecute offenders regardless of nationality or location.

Each of the cases reflects specific patterns of concealment, inter-county trafficking, and localized distribution, which the agency aims to disrupt through strategic deployments and real-time intelligence operations.

According to the LDEA, all confiscated substances are currently held under evidentiary control protocols and will undergo chemical analysis before being processed for court presentation and eventual destruction in line with judicial orders.

Meanwhile, legal proceedings against the accused are expected to proceed within statutory timeframes as dictated by the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Senior officials from the agency further noted that the presence of foreign nationals in two high-value drug cases underscores Liberia’s vulnerability to transnational narcotics trafficking, prompting calls for tighter border coordination, increased surveillance at transit checkpoints, and greater cooperation with regional drug control bodies.

The LDEA has also expressed concern about the rise in synthetic drugs such as Kush, particularly among young adults in densely populated communities. 

According to the agency, low production costs and easy accessibility are enabling rapid proliferation, contributing to public health challenges and secondary crimes, including violence and school dropouts.

Agency sources confirmed that investigations remain open in all eleven cases, with possible links to broader networks still under review.

The LDEA is urging citizens, commercial transport operators, and community leaders to maintain vigilance and assist law enforcement by reporting suspicious activity related to drug movement or street-level distribution, stressing that public cooperation remains critical to long-term success.