HARPER, Maryland County – A cloud of corruption looms over the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) in Maryland County following allegations that its local commander, Sgt. Moses Birr, mishandled confiscated gold during a recent drug raid in Barrobo District.
By: Peter P. Toe, Jr., contributing writer
The controversy stems from a March 22, 2025 operation, authorized by the Karloken Magistrate Court, targeting illegal narcotics in the Barrobo Chinese Camp. While the warrant was limited to substances such as marijuana and cocaine, human rights monitors allege that LDEA officers acted beyond their legal authority.
At the center of the scandal is Sgt. Birr, who is accused of illegally seizing 24.3 grams of gold and L$35,000 from a local businessman during the operation. However, only 4.4 grams of gold were officially documented and returned—leaving over 19 grams unaccounted for.
According to Boniface Nyema, Maryland County monitor for the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), the victim filed a complaint detailing the unauthorized seizure. He further alleged that LDEA officers demanded L$80,000 via mobile money for the return of the gold.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, April 7, 2025, at the LDEA’s Harper office, Sgt. Birr confirmed the agency carried out the raid and confiscated both drugs and gold. However, he claimed only 10.8 grams of gold were seized—a figure that contradicts the victim’s account and raises serious questions about transparency and accountability.
More controversially, Sgt. Birr admitted to receiving the L$80,000 payment, referring to it as “a part done for justice”—a phrase now drawing widespread criticism and scrutiny.
“This is not just about missing gold,” said Nyema. “It’s about abuse of power, extortion, and undermining justice under the guise of law enforcement. If the search warrant didn’t authorize the seizure of personal property like gold, then such actions are plainly unlawful.”
Maryland County Attorney, Philip G. Whiegar, has also weighed in, backing the INCHR’s concerns. He labeled the gold seizure illegal and confirmed that he pressured the Karloken Court to return whatever amount was available.
According to Whiegar, only 4.4 grams of gold were recovered from the court and returned to the victim, leaving more than half of the gold allegedly seized still unaccounted for.
“If Sgt. Birr insists that 10.8 grams were confiscated, he must now account for the remaining 6.4 grams, at the very least,” Whiegar stressed.
The INCHR has since called for a comprehensive investigation, urging the Ministry of Justice to take swift action and ensure that any LDEA officers found guilty of misconduct face appropriate consequences.
“This cannot be swept under the rug,” Nyema declared. “We must ensure that justice is not sold or stolen in the name of enforcement.”
The discrepancies in reports—from the businessman’s claim of 24.3 grams being seized, Sgt. Birr’s admission of 10.8 grams, and the court’s confirmation of only receiving 4.4 grams—have sparked widespread concern across Maryland County.
The INCHR and County Attorney have both assured the public that they remain committed to ensuring accountability in law enforcement and the judiciary, and that justice will be served.
