Kenyan Woman Arrested at RIA with $388K Worth of Heroinl

Monrovia Liberia – In a continued effort to combat the illegal drug trade in Liberia, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has arrested and detained 37-year-old Kenyan national Larnah B. Arondo at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) for attempting to smuggle a significant quantity of heroin into the country.

According to an official LDEA report released on Monday, February 3, 2025, Arondo was intercepted on February 1 at approximately 3:00 AM upon her arrival on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET-933 from Thailand via Addis Ababa. 

The LDEA through its Director General Anthony Soul recounted that officers, acting on intelligence, conducted a thorough inspection of her luggage and discovered 8.642 kilograms of heroin hidden inside the frame of a canopy.

"The illicit substance, which has an estimated street value of US$388,890, was immediately confiscated," Director Soul stated.

According to Director Soul the illicit substance, which has an estimated street value of US$388,890, was immediately confiscated.

He unveil that during an initial questioning, Arondo admitted to investigators that a Nigerian man named Alex, who resides in Thailand, had given her the package with instructions to deliver it to a Liberian contact identified as Abel Somah Gbedia. 

"Based on her confession, our agents swiftly launched an operation, which led to the arrest of Gbedia," the newly inducted LDEA Director General confirmed.

He further that it was as a result of her confession, the LDEA authorities launched a swift operation, leading to the arrest of Gbedia.

The newly inducted DG of the LDEA said Both individuals are now in LDEA custody as investigations continue. 

He also mention that the Authorities are working to uncover further links in the drug trafficking network and identify any additional accomplices. 

The LDEA has at the reiterated its commitment to dismantling drug smuggling operations and preventing the influx of illegal substances into Liberia.

"We remain steadfast in our efforts to dismantle drug trafficking operations and prevent the influx of illegal substances into Liberia. This arrest is a testament to our heightened surveillance measures and close collaboration with international partners in the fight against drug-related crimes."

This latest arrest underscores the agency's heightened surveillance efforts and collaboration with international partners to curb drug-related crimes in the country.