LDEA OIC Says Search Warrant Issued by West Point Magisterial Court Not Directed at CDC

Published: August 28, 2024

MONROVIA — The Officer-in-Charge of the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Christopher Peters, has clarified that the Search and Seizure Warrant issued by the West Point Magisterial Court was not directed at the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) as claimed by some citizens.

Mr. Peters’ clarification comes days after a clash between combined officers of the LDEA and the Liberia National Police with scores of citizens believed to be members and supporters of the CDC in Congo Town.

During the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT) regular press briefing on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, in Monrovia, the acting LDEA boss emphasized that his officers had no dealings with the CDC as a political party or its national headquarters as a target.

“The warrant was directed at a particular target in the Small Town Community, not the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC). The issue of jurisdiction is always raised before the courts,” Mr. Peters stated.

He further clarified that regarding the warrant, the LDEA Agents in Charge of Operations had submitted an application to the West Point Magisterial Court. According to him, the court’s ministerial officers processed the warrant, informed the agents of its readiness, and were accompanied by two officers of said court.

He recounted that on August 22, 2024, regarding the incident in the Small Town Community in Congo Town, the LDEA had applied for a Search and Seizure Warrant to the West Point Magisterial Court on August 21, 2024, concerning a property identified in the community.

He noted that the Search and Seizure Warrant was issued on August 21, 2024, and was executed on August 22, 2024, at about 5:00 a.m. with the accompaniment of two officers from the West Point Magisterial Court who joined the LDEA agents in executing the warrant at the intended property.

“We were informed that when the LDEA Team arrived at the Small Town Community and was making its way to the intended property, the team was violently resisted by suspected community members who pelted stones at the agents and, at some point, fired at them,” Peters narrated.

He further explained that between 5:30 a.m. and 5:45 a.m., the agents had to maneuver and pull out, citing roadblocks staged along the Bernard Beach route as well as Tubman Boulevard in front of the CDC headquarters.

The LDEA boss disclosed that two of his men sustained injuries and were taken to the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Monrovia as a result of the alleged resistance by the residents. He added that the victims were treated and discharged but continue to seek daily follow-up treatment.

Mr. Peters also indicated that the Agency is now conducting its “after-action review.” According to him, this review will ensure that the institution does not solely rely on the representations of court ministerial officers regarding the processing and issuance of writs as done in the past.