HARPER, Maryland County — The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has arrested a Liberian woman at the Karloken checkpoint in Maryland County after she was allegedly found in possession of four plates of marijuana valued at approximately US$400.
The suspect, identified as Mamie Williams, is a Liberian national originally from River Gee County.
According to the LDEA, Williams was taken into custody on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at approximately 1:00 p.m. The arrest followed actionable intelligence provided to drug enforcement authorities concerning the illicit transportation of marijuana through the Karloken area.
Following her apprehension, Williams was transferred to Harper, where she remains in the custody of the LDEA Maryland County Detachment while investigators work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the possession and movement of the substance.
Speaking to reporters at the LDEA Central Office in Harper on Friday, September 11, Special Agent John Williams McGee, Chief of Operations of the LDEA Maryland County Detachment, confirmed the arrest and noted that officers acted swiftly upon receiving the tip-off.
“The LDEA got a tip-off, so we got there. We arrested a Liberian national, a female, with four plates of marijuana,” McGee stated.
The LDEA has not publicly disclosed the identity of the informant, nor has the agency released details regarding the origin or intended destination of the contraband. Investigators are working to determine whether the case represents an isolated incident or connects to a larger drug distribution network operating across Maryland County and neighboring regions.
This operation highlights the strategic importance of law enforcement checkpoints along Liberia’s southeastern corridor. Given Maryland County’s proximity to neighboring counties and international borders, key transit points like Karloken serve as critical interdiction zones. However, authorities acknowledge that long-term success requires sustained intelligence gathering, thorough investigations, and effective prosecution to disrupt broader supply chains.
The LDEA confirmed that Williams will be formally charged and forwarded to court upon the completion of the investigation. Under Liberian law, the suspect remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Special Agent McGee reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to curbing illicit substances, stating that officers continue to work tirelessly to secure communities. Meanwhile, local authorities and residents remain focused on whether such interdictions will lead to the dismantling of the broader networks driving illegal drug trade in the region.