ADNews-Monrovia: The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) under the watch of its Officer In Charge (OIC), Mr. Christopher Peters continues combating the illicit drug as the Agency has intercepted another quantity of high-grade cocaine at the Robert International Airport (RIA), weighed 16.65 kilograms and has a street value estimated at US$915,750.00/LD$175,824,000.00.
This latest seizure within the first 100 days under Peters’ supervision brings the total value of substances confiscated to Three million, four hundred and twenty-eight thousand eight hundred and forty-eight United States dollars sixty-five cents, (US$3,428,848.65) equivalent to Six hundred and eighty-eight Million, five hundred and four thousand, three hundred and two thousand four Liberian dollars eight four cents (LD$688,504,324.84).
Speaking at the press conference late Thursday, September 12, the LDEA authority clarified that the Agency’s suspended boss, Abraham Kromah has no link, neither made efforts nor provided intelligence to the recent arrest as it has been speculated in the public.
However, no one has been arrested so far, but LDEA assures the public that all security measures are being applied to apprehend those linked and connected to this drug.
Accordingly, on September 11, 2024, at 04:45hrs, LDEA Agents assigned at RIA spotted and took possession of a blue suitcase containing 15 passels of a suspicious substance, but their preliminary investigation suggests that the substance was intended to be flown out of Liberia via the Roberts International Airport (RIA).
“With the assistance of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNDOC) Liberia, the LDEA tested the seized substance and the result confirmed that the substance is a High-Grade Cocaine, which weighed 16.65kilograms with a street value of US$915,750.00/175,824.00m. No suspect has been arrested as the suitcase even though identified within one of the RIA parking lots, was unaccompanied. Investigations into identifying the suspects regarding this seizure continue,” LDEA authority averred.
Providing details of their operations conducted over the last 100 under the supervision of the Agency’s OIC, the current leadership highlighted that, “over the last hundred days, we have been able to lead with the support of our colleagues to achieve a lot for the Agency and the country. In June, we seized drugs and substances in the amount of US$255,388.50/LD$49,034,592.00. In July, the value of the seizure made is put at US$1,362,025.15m/LD$291.6m, while in August 2024; we seized drugs and substances which street value is put at US$895,685/LD$171,971,534m.”
Apart from its operations, the Agency disclosed that it has been trying to strengthen institutional capacities and building networks for the enhancement of the Agency’s work.
According to Peters, the Agency recently hosted, Mr. Bill McGlynn, who is the U.S. State Department Advisor on Drug Demand Reduction. McGlynn three-day visit to Liberia was made possible by the US Embassy in Monrovia and International Law Enforcement and Narcotics (INL) office. McGlynn’s visit to Liberia focused on assessing public and private efforts on programs of prevention, treatment, and recovery of art-risk-youths and how opportunities can be identified to assist the Government’s efforts on rehabilitation. McGlynn held separate discussions with private rehabilitation centers, the Minister of Justice, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, the Chairperson and Members of the House Committee on Drugs, Substance, Rehabilitation and Reintegration at the House of Representatives and the LDEA Prevention Office.
“We have also held talks with different partners who are finding ways to assist the Agency in terms of logistics, training, and in areas of other technical interventions.
“Last month, we received some donations of internet routers, scales and testing kits, one industrial printer, cartridges, etc from one of our partners. These donations are expected to be deployed across the counties soon.
“Over the last 100, we have established new LDEA field Offices in Kpakor, Brewerville, Citibank Compound in Virginia and Nagbe Town (infamous Zimbabwe Ghetto) in Paynesville. All these places were infested with the drug trade, but with the help of the Liberia National Police (LNP), we were able to restore sanity and safety in those communities. The LDEA will continue to work with the Joint Security framework and community members in addressing the supply reduction side of the fight against drugs and substance abuse.
“The Agency has a huge task to perform especially when you consider the issues of drugs and substance abuse across the country. However, it will require the support of everyone to win the war on drugs, especially the Government of Liberia and its partners. With the right support, reform, capacity and leadership, the Agency can do exploits because it has men and women who are already making incredible efforts under difficult circumstances.”
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