Monrovia – The Community Action Against Drug Abuse (CAADA) has strongly condemned recent attempts by residents of Caldwell Gbandi Town to arrest and detain alleged drug dealers, describing the actions as illegal, unconstitutional, and a violation of human rights.
The condemnation follows a viral social media post showing vigilante citizens unlawfully arresting several individuals accused of drug dealing.
CAADA, in a statement through its founder Patmillia Doe Paivey, acknowledged the frustration communities face due to the devastating effects of substance abuse but cautioned that citizen-led arrests undermine the rule of law, obstruct justice, and endanger human dignity.
“The Constitution of Liberia (Article 20a) guarantees that no person shall be deprived of liberty except through lawful procedures. Detaining individuals without legal authority amounts to illegal detention or kidnapping under Liberia’s Penal Code,” CAADA stated.
The organization warned that such actions could compromise police investigations and legal proceedings, noting that the Liberia Criminal Procedure Law (Title 2) strictly regulates arrests, requiring either a judicial warrant or clear grounds to believe a felony was committed in the presence of an officer.
CAADA stressed that citizen arrests in this context deny suspects their rights to be informed of charges, access legal counsel, or be presented before a competent court—core elements of due process and fair trial guarantees.
It further pointed to the Penal Law of Liberia (§ 12.40 and § 12.12), which criminalizes obstruction of justice, including interfering with legal processes or unlawfully detaining suspects. Such actions, the group said, may amount to assault, kidnapping, or other serious offenses.
On the international front, CAADA referenced UN Human Rights Guidelines on Drug Policy, which emphasize that drug enforcement must respect dignity, fairness, and justice—not resort to punitive or vigilante measures.
“Human rights obligations remain binding even in the context of drug enforcement. Arbitrary detention is strictly prohibited, and the rights to fair process and health must be upheld even for those suspected of drug-related crimes,” the statement added.
CAADA reaffirmed its commitment to fighting drug abuse in Liberia but urged communities to do so through lawful means—such as reporting credible tips to community leaders, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) hotline, or other recognized security institutions.
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