By Amos Harris
The Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA), the nation’s primary force in the fight against illicit drugs, is facing significant challenges that threaten its effectiveness, according to Officer-in-Charge Fitzgerald T. M. Biago.
Speaking at a Ministry of Information press briefing on Thursday, September 4, 2025, Mr. Biago detailed the struggles of an agency tasked with combating Liberia’s escalating drug crisis despite being underfunded and poorly equipped.
Biago revealed that many LDEA officers earn as little as US$150 per month. He described these salaries as “insufficient to sustain a family, let alone motivate officers to risk their lives confronting well-financed drug networks.”
He also lamented the agency’s lack of basic necessities, including uniforms, insurance coverage, and critical logistics, leaving officers vulnerable and underequipped. “We want to improve the capacity of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency with all the necessary tools for our officers. Their lives must be improved if we expect them to fight drugs effectively,” Biago stated.
One of the most alarming revelations was that LDEA officers currently operate without insurance, a reality that puts their families at risk if they are injured or killed in the line of duty. The absence of uniforms and essential logistics like vehicles, protective gear, and surveillance equipment further weakens the agency’s operational capacity.
“These are not small issues,” Biago stressed. “If officers are to confront drug cartels, they must first be properly empowered by the state.”
Beyond the resource gaps, Biago hinted at troubling internal issues. He alleged that some individuals at the agency are not officially employed but operate based on “personal interests” tied to powerful figures within the institution. He argued that this practice undermines professionalism and accountability within the LDEA. This is seen by observers as an admission that political patronage and internal mismanagement continue to weaken the agency.
Biago framed the fight against illicit drugs as a collective national struggle, urging support from sister security institutions, including the Liberia National Police, National Fire Service, and Liberia Immigration Service. He also called on the Liberian public to back the agency’s efforts, noting that the drug trade threatens families, communities, and national stability.
He expressed gratitude to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for prioritizing the anti-drug fight but stressed that this focus must now translate into tangible support. “This fight is for all Liberians, no matter your status. But without resources, the LDEA will remain on the losing side,” Biago warned.
In recent years, Liberia has faced a surge in drug abuse, particularly among young people. Substances like “kush” have wreaked havoc across urban centers, and civil society groups have repeatedly called on the government to strengthen the LDEA as a matter of national urgency.