The Liberia National Police (LNP) says it has come to their attention that some rice dealers are in the constant habit of hiding the commodity, with the intent of increasing its price, while some are smuggling it across to neighboring countries for profit-making by selling it at higher prices.
“Such action is causing serious inconvenience to the government and its citizens and residents,” the LNP said in a press release.
Given this, the LNP immediately activated officers across the country to effect the arrest of perpetrators of the unlawful act.
Since the activation of police officers across the nation, there have been several arrests in a number of parts of the country on pending charges of economic sabotage, profiteering and cheating, and defrauding the government.
To date, the following individuals/vendors/business persons were arrested, pending various charges: Ahmad Saksouk (Lebanese businessman), arrested on Du-Port Road with 62 bags of 25kg Star rice at a sale price of US$30; Skymilay Dorbor, arrested at Gobachop intersection selling government pro-poor rice out of a blue truck, marked H0889. Dorbor was selling a bag of 25kg pro-poor rice for US$20; Mamadu Jalloh, arrested at Omega with 27 bags of 25kg Star Rice sold at US$30; Garmai Roberts, arrested in Paynesville with 14 bags of 25kg Star Rice, sold at US$30; Ma-Bee of Ganta, Nimba County, arrested with 199 bags of 25kg Star Rice, sold at US$30; Marvina Doe of New Kru Town, arrested with 160 bags of 25kg Star Rice sold at L$5,500; Omu Bah of West Point, arrested with 22 bags of 25kg Star Rice, sold at L$5,000; and Sata Weasley, arrested in West Point with an unspecified number of bags of 25kg rice, sold at US$30.
As a result of a tip-off from commerce inspectors, joint security forces were successful in confiscating two trucks of rice at the Loguatuo border in Nimba County. The length of each of the trucks is about a 40ft container, with an estimate of over 2,500 bags of 25kg rice contained in both trucks. Currently, the rice is being guarded by LNP tactical unit pending transport to Monrovia by the Ministry of Commerce.
In awake of unfolding developments, the Inspector General of Police, Col. Patrick Toe Sudue, has further reiterated his call to all business individuals, vendors, and distributors that, until the government can change the prices of rice, any arbitrary increase in price for profiteering will be termed illegal.
Members of the public are also urged to assist the LNP with any useful information leading to the arrest of individuals in the habit of hiding, increasing the price, or smuggling rice to neighboring countries for profiteering.
Anyone that has any useful information can call the following numbers: 0770800911/ 0770800990/ 0770800111/ 0770800423/ 0 770800109/ 0770800122/ 0770800117.