Officer-in-Charge Fitzgerald T.M. Biago speaks to his team.
Monrovia – Liberia’s Information Minister and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) have provided further clarification regarding the February 19 drug bust at the Bo Waterside border crossing in Grand Cape Mount County, confirming that all seized cash and narcotics were properly secured following the operation.
Arrest and Drug Seizure
Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah confirmed that two Guinean nationals were arrested by officers of the LDEA assigned to the Grand Cape Mount County Detachment during a security operation at the Liberia–Sierra Leone border.
According to authorities, officers confiscated more than 500 pieces of suspected tramadol tablets during the operation. The drugs are estimated to have a street value exceeding US$400,000. In addition to the narcotics, approximately US$150,000 in cash was reportedly seized from the suspects.
Cash Deposited at Central Bank
Minister Piah dismissed rumors circulating among the public suggesting that the confiscated funds had been misused.
He clarified that the money has been officially deposited in the vault of the Central Bank of Liberia as part of ongoing investigations.
Meanwhile, the suspects remain in custody at the Monrovia Central Prison as legal proceedings continue.
Piah urged the public to refrain from spreading misinformation and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the fight against illegal drugs.
Deputy Officer-in-Charge of Operations Patrick B. Kormazu said the February 19, 2026 operation resulted in the arrest of Bubakar Jalloh, an 18-year-old Guinean national residing in Caldwell.
He added that law enforcement agencies will continue strengthening efforts to combat drug trafficking and protect communities across Liberia.
LDEA Addresses Conflicting Reports
Separately, the LDEA also addressed reports concerning the seized cash, emphasizing that all funds and narcotics recovered during the operation were handled according to established procedures.
Deputy Officer-in-Charge of Operations Patrick B. Kormazu said the February 19, 2026 operation resulted in the arrest of Bubakar Jalloh, an 18-year-old Guinean national residing in Caldwell.
During the operation, officers reportedly recovered 519 packs and 19 strips of Tapentadol or Tramadol, with an estimated street value of more than US$72,000 (approximately L$13 million).
However, reports about the US$150,000 allegedly found in the vehicle transporting the drugs sparked public questions after conflicting information emerged from internal documents and audio recordings.
Investigation and Internal Review
Kormazu explained that the seized cash was received from the arresting officers and later deposited at the bank after the alleged owner failed to provide proof of ownership or the legal source of the funds.
“The individual claiming the funds was not present at the scene during the arrest,” Kormazu told FrontPage Africa.
“The driver who transported the money reportedly left before the search was completed, and the sender did not present themselves before the case was forwarded to court.”
He added that the agency requested an internal review through its Professional Standards Division to ensure proper documentation and transparency.
Customs authorities at the border also indicated that they had not been informed of any seized cash requiring assessment under Liberia’s asset forfeiture regulations, which contributed to the confusion.
The LDEA confirmed that the funds remain secured and that the suspect involved in the case has been turned over to the courts and is currently in pre-trial detention awaiting trial.
Public Commends LDEA Operations
The agency reiterated its commitment to combating drug trafficking across Liberia and emphasized that its operations are conducted in accordance with legal and procedural standards.
The current leadership of the LDEA, headed by Fitzgerald T.M. Biago, has also received praise from some members of the public for intensified efforts against illicit drugs.
Residents say recent raids targeting ghettos believed to be hubs for drug sales and consumption have helped improve safety in several communities.
“We are no longer under bondage. Our community is better than before since the barrack was removed,” said Musa Davies, a resident of the Parker Paint community in Monrovia.
Davies explained that the location—commonly known as a “barrack”—had previously served as a base for drug-dependent youths known locally as “zokos.”
According to her, residents often lived in fear as the group allegedly broke into homes and stole household items including utensils, televisions, furniture, and other personal belongings.
“They would snatch phones and handbags from people at night. Now the situation is much better,” she said.
Davies called on the government to continue supporting the LDEA with resources needed to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking, particularly among Liberia’s youth population.
