The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), in collaboration with the Bureau of Customs, has confiscated two boxes of concealed tealeaf substances believed to be controlled narcotic drug at the Roberts International Airport (RIA). The boxes, according to the LDEA, arrived in the country by way of SN Brussels, flight # SN-245.
A LDEA release, issued August 6, 2024, said, “Upon testing conducted by the LDEA and UNODC on July 25, 2024, the substance contained in the two boxes tested positive for Methamphetamine (Kush). The controlled narcotics substance seized weighed 10kg, with the street value of US$200,000 or L$38,000,000.”
According to the release, “As a result, suspects Raymond Kpehe (clearing agent of United Parcel Services), and Michael Brown (the consignee) were arrested, investigated and charged for illegal importation, transportation and conspiracy, while Mohammed Nyallay, a Sierra Leonean, was also arrested, investigated and charged as an accomplice to the importation of narcotics substance into Liberia, which violates Sections 14.83 and 14.85 of the 2023 drug law, as well as Sections 10.4 and 10.2 of the Penal Law of Liberia.
The LDEA disclosed that the three suspects have been forwarded to the Unification Town Magisterial Court, Margibi County, for prosecution.
In a related development, on August 2, 2024 the LDEA Grand Cape Mount County Detachment, in collaboration with the joint security, searched and seized 31kg of “Kush” onboard a white mini-bus with a Guinean license, #AD1037, driven by suspect Abass Sannoh, a Liberian, at the Bo Warterside boarder.
Suspect Sannoh, a resident of Gardnersville, was investigated and charged for transportation and possession of controlled drugs. Suspect Sannoh has also been forwarded to the Tianii Magisterial Court, Grand Cape Mount County.
The street value of the 31 kilograms of Cannabis Kush seized at Bo Waterside is put at US$620,000 or L$111,800,000.
The LDEA put the street values of both seizures from RIA and Bo Waterside at US$820,000 or L$155,800,000.