In a major victory against illegal drug production, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has uprooted a massive marijuana plantation hidden deep in the Kolahun Forest, Lofa County. The operation, carried out on April 12, 2025, led to the arrest of a local farmer and the destruction of thousands of cannabis plants worth nearly $5,100 (LRD 969,000).
Acting on a court-approved warrant, a joint team comprising the LDEA Lofa County Commander and the Kolahun Magistrate Court Sheriff raided the remote forest site after months of investigation. The operation was triggered by intelligence linking 38-year-old Janet Molay, a resident of Kailahun Town, to illegal drug cultivation.
The team trekked deep into the forest, where they discovered a two-lot plantation filled with thriving marijuana plants. Authorities uprooted and destroyed a staggering 2,384 plants, weighing approximately 51 kilograms.
This crackdown follows an earlier arrest in December 2024, when a suspect was caught with 169 kilograms of marijuana seeds. Further interrogation and surveillance led investigators to the hidden plantation.
LDEA officials confirmed that Molay was taken into custody and will face prosecution under Liberia’s drug laws. The agency has reiterated its commitment to dismantling drug networks and protecting communities from the dangers of narcotics.
The LDEA has praised the collaborative efforts that made the operation successful and is urging citizens to report suspicious activities. “We cannot fight this battle alone,” said an LDEA spokesperson. “Community support is crucial in stopping the spread of illegal drugs.”
As Liberia intensifies its war on narcotics, this seizure marks a significant step in disrupting the supply chain of illicit substances. The LDEA has vowed to continue its crackdown, ensuring that those involved in drug trafficking face the full force of the law.
