Monrovia — Christopher Peters, the Officer in Charge of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), marked his 100th day in office on September 12, 2024, by highlighting significant achievements in the country’s battle against drug trafficking and substance abuse. Peters, who assumed leadership of the LDEA in June, reflected on the progress made and appealed for continued support to sustain the agency’s momentum.
“I am honored and humbled to work alongside my colleagues in making great strides over these 100 days,” Peters stated. “Early this morning, my colleagues surprised me with an appreciation event at Headquarters. I’m entirely grateful to them and the public for the support thus far.”
Major Drug Seizures and Convictions
Over the past three months, the LDEA has seized drugs and substances valued at over US$3.4 million (LD$688.5 million). Peters detailed several major operations, including a seizure of high-grade cocaine at Roberts International Airport (RIA) on September 11. The drugs, weighing 16.65 kilograms and valued at US$915,750, were found in an unaccompanied blue suitcase in the airport parking lot.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that the substance was intended to be flown out of Liberia via RIA,” Peters said. “With assistance from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) in Liberia, we tested the seized substance, and the result confirmed it was high-grade cocaine. No suspects have been arrested as the suitcase was unaccompanied, but investigations are ongoing.”
From June to August 2024, the LDEA seized drugs and substances valued at US$255,388.50 (LD$49 million) in June, US$1.36 million (LD$291.6 million) in July, and US$895,685 (LD$171.9 million) in August. Peters also highlighted that in the last 100 days, the LDEA has secured 13 convictions, with several other cases ongoing across Liberia.
Institutional Strengthening and International Collaboration
Beyond operations, Peters emphasized efforts to strengthen the LDEA’s institutional capacity and build partnerships. Last week, the agency hosted Bill McGlynn, the U.S. State Department Advisor on Drug Demand Reduction, who visited Liberia to assess public and private efforts on prevention, treatment, and recovery for at-risk youths. McGlynn’s visit was facilitated by the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia’s International Law Enforcement and Narcotics (INL) office.
“McGlynn held separate discussions with private rehabilitation centers, the Minister of Justice, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, and the Chairperson and Members of the House Committee on Drugs, Substance, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration,” Peters noted. “These discussions focused on identifying opportunities to assist the Government’s efforts on rehabilitation.”
Peters also reported ongoing talks with various partners to secure logistics, training, and technical support for the agency. Recent donations included internet routers, scales, testing kits, an industrial printer, and cartridges, which will soon be deployed across the counties.
Expanding Presence and Community Engagement
The LDEA has expanded its presence by establishing new field offices in Kpakor, Brewerville, Citibank Compound in Virginia, and Nagbe Town in Paynesville, areas that were previously drug-infested. “With the help of the Liberia National Police, we were able to restore sanity and safety in those communities,” Peters stated. “We will continue to work within the Joint Security framework and with community members to address the supply reduction side of the fight against drugs and substance abuse.”
Peters acknowledged the challenges ahead, noting the widespread issues of drug and substance abuse across Liberia. He appealed for broad-based support to tackle these challenges effectively. “The Agency has a huge task to perform, but with the right support, reform, capacity, and leadership, we can do exploits because we have men and women who are already making incredible efforts under difficult circumstances.”
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