Monrovia – The Deputy Director General for Administration of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Gwee Forkpa, has termed as “bad” the current system being used by the agency to fight against drug trafficking and trading in the country.
By Obediah Johnson
According to him, the system used to fight against the flow of illicit drugs into Liberia during the administration of former Liberian President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf was far better as compared to the one being used presently.
Forkpa, who served in similar capacity during the administration of ex-President Sirleaf, made these assertions when he spoke at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism(MICAT) recently.
“Those who were in Liberia during the administration of President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf and know about the LDEA fully at that time, you know how the agency was working. We had a system in place. I am not going to hold anyone responsible, but the system today is so bad,” he averred.
He made specific reference to many young people serving as volunteers in the fight against illicit drugs trafficking and abuse in Liberia.
He observed that many of those volunteering at the agency “do not know what they are doing.”
Forkpa attributed the situation to low manpower who are in the employ of the LDEA.
He emphasized that the shortage of manpower continues to extract more Liberian youths to beef up the strength of the LDEA in executing its assigned tasks and responsibilities.
“LDEA has existed for some years now. In recent past years, there have been serious problems at the IDEA-something we inherited and we are trying to work on. LDEA has less human resources; we are less when it comes to education or drug law training. Over half of the agency’s workforce are volunteers. This is a problem that we’re working on,” the LDEA Deputy Director General for Administration pointed out.
Forkpa, however, disclosed that as part of efforts to address the situation, the current management team at the agency has commenced a process of vetting and training of these volunteers.
He attributed the influx of illicit drugs in Liberia to poor leadership and the porosity of Liberia’s border points.
He stressed that despite efforts being made by the government, the lack of adequate logistical support remains a serious challenge confronting the agency.
Public officials involved
Speaking further, Forkpa alarmed over the alleged involvement of some members of the three branches of government into the trafficking and distribution of drugs in Liberia.
Though Forkpa did not name a particular public official involved in the unwholesome practice, he maintained that “illicit drug is a lucrative business,” and as such, “everybody wants to get money and for that, you will find somebody somewhere who is involved.”
“I will say it openly here that from the Executive, the First Branch of Government,(Legislature and the Judiciary-if you go in the sectors, you will find somebody involved with drugs. So when you’re fighting drugs, you’re fighting people everywhere,” he said.
He said the alleged involvement of higher-ups in the trafficking and trading of these illicit substances continue to endanger the lives of those fighting the menace.
Point them out
He, however, stressed the need for Liberians to point out drug traffickers and distributors, including foreigners or relatives, who are residing in their various communities.
Forkpa said the fight against illicit drugs should go beyond creating awareness through protest actions, with the collective involvement of all citizens.
“People who are selling drugs are not living in the sky-they are living in houses. Why are the Liberian people not showing these people? The fight against illicit drugs is everybody’s business.”
He mentioned that citizens should provide cogent information that would lead to both the arrest of suspected drug traffickers and dealers with evidence in their possession.
He cautioned that those trafficking and trading illicit drugs are “very dangerous” and as such, citizens should also be mindful of the manner and form in which they blow the whistle or provide information that would lead to their arrest and subsequent prosecution.
Forkpa stated that the agency would not hesitate to also arrest citizens who provide false information.
Warning to agents
He warned LDEA agents against the intake of drugs and other dangerous substances.
Forkpa encouraged the public not to hesitate to file a complaint against any agent who is engaged in the trafficking or distribution of illicit drugs.
‘You can’t be consuming drugs if you want to go fight somebody to stop it. If we get to know, we will fire you right away,” he added.
Context and Past Allegations
Forkpa’s remarks come days after the “Say No to Drugs” campaign brought thousands, mostly women and youth, to the streets of Monrovia demanding tougher laws and political will to dismantle drug networks.
A 2023 UNFPA study revealed that one in five Liberian youths use narcotics, with over 866 known drug dens in Monrovia alone. Despite President Joseph Boakai’s pledge to allocate US$3.5 million for rehabilitation and prevention programs, experts say little of the funding has reached service providers, with only 163 people currently receiving government-supported treatment nationwide.
It is not the first time senior officials of the LDEA have accused top government figures of involvement in the drug trade. In 2022, Commander Martha Massaley alleged that a sitting lawmaker was caught transporting drugs but faced no consequences. She later collapsed while testifying before the House of Representatives and never returned to complete her statement.
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