The newly appointed Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitzgerald T.M. Biago, has pledged a no-nonsense approach in the fight against illicit drugs, calling for accountability within the agency and nationwide cooperation in combating drug trafficking.
In a special statement issued on Tuesday, DCP Biago thanked President Joseph N. Boakai for the confidence reposed in him and acknowledged the support of the Minister of Justice as he assumed the interim leadership of the LDEA.
“As we take over the interim leadership of the LDEA, we are fully aware of the daunting challenges that lie ahead. Yet, we are equally confident that with determination, discipline, and collective effort, we shall overcome these challenges and restore the dignity, integrity, and effectiveness of this noble institution,” Biago said.
He highlighted the proliferation and abuse of illicit drugs as “one of the gravest national threats confronting Liberia,” warning that it endangers the youth, undermines communities, and poses a direct risk to national security.
“To strengthen accountability and integrity within the LDEA, I announce the immediate launch of a compulsory nationwide drug test for all LDEA officers. Those leading the war against drugs must themselves be beyond reproach,” he emphasized.
The OIC further pledged intensified operations targeting the sources of drug trafficking and distribution. Citizens are being urged to cooperate with authorities, and an Anti-Drugs Hotline will soon be established to allow the public to provide critical intelligence in support of LDEA operations.
DCP Biago also called on the media to join the fight by sensitizing and educating the public. “Your role in informing and educating the public is indispensable. We pledge transparency, accountability, and openness as we discharge this mandate on behalf of the Liberian people,” he stated.
Sending a stern warning to those involved in the drug trade, Biago declared: “To all drug traffickers, distributors, and those who profit from the destruction of lives, consider this your final warning: the LDEA will come after you with the full weight of the law. There will be no hiding place. We will pursue you relentlessly, prosecute you vigorously, and ensure that justice is served. The time of impunity is over.”
He confirmed that the LDEA would work closely with the Liberia National Police and all members of the Joint Security in every operation, assuring Liberians that every lawful means would be employed to restore order and safeguard the nation’s future.
