In a bold move underscoring Liberia’s intensified crackdown on drug trafficking, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) publicly destroyed a significant haul of narcotics in Foya District, Lofa County, on Thursday. The incinerated contraband included 772 plates of high-grade marijuana and eight boxes of Tramadol, a powerful opioid, seized during a major interception on March 17, 2025.
The operation, led by the LDEA under the directive of Director General Hon. Anthony K. Souh, sends a clear message to drug traffickers: Liberia will not tolerate the proliferation of illicit substances. The case remains under judicial review at the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court of Lofa County, but today’s destruction of the seized drugs demonstrates the agency’s proactive stance in dismantling narcotics networks.
“This is not just about burning drugs, it’s about safeguarding our communities,” said Hon. Souh, addressing officials and local stakeholders at the event. “Every gram destroyed today represents lives protected, families spared from addiction, and criminals denied profit.”
The LDEA chief expressed deep gratitude to the County Attorney’s Office and the Joint Security of Lofa County for their unwavering collaboration in the fight against drug-related crimes. “This victory is a testament to teamwork,” he noted, urging continued vigilance among law enforcement and the public.
The destruction of these narcotics comes amid rising concerns over drug abuse in Liberia, particularly involving Tramadol, a highly addictive painkiller often smuggled into the country. High-grade marijuana, increasingly trafficked across West Africa, also remains a priority target for Liberian authorities.
Local residents in Foya welcomed the LDEA’s action, with some calling for even stricter measures. “These drugs ruin our youth,” said Samuel Kollie, a community elder. “We support the LDEA, but we need more awareness so our children don’t fall into this trap.”
As the legal proceedings continue, the LDEA has vowed to intensify operations across Liberia, leveraging intelligence and inter-agency cooperation to disrupt drug syndicates. Director Souh reaffirmed his agency’s commitment, stating: “We will chase these criminals wherever they hide. Liberia’s future depends on it.”
For now, the flames in Foya serve as both a warning and a promise, that the war on drugs is far from over, but the LDEA is determined to win it.
