Barrobo District, Maryland County – April 9, 2025 – The Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) has issued a strong call for a comprehensive investigation and the dispensation of justice following a contentious gold seizure by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) in Barrobo District, Maryland County. The incident occurred on March 22, 2025, during a drug raid that targeted individuals suspected of trafficking illegal substances, including marijuana and cocaine. The INCHR has raised serious concerns regarding alleged misconduct and significant discrepancies in the amount of gold reportedly seized and subsequently returned.
The LDEA Maryland County Detachment conducted the operation under the authority of a search and seizure warrant issued by the Karloken Magisterial Court. However, according to Boniface Nyema, a human rights monitor with the INCHR, the agency’s actions appear to have exceeded the scope of the judicial mandate. The raid focused on alleged drug dealers within the Barrobo Chinese Camp, during which 24.3 grams of gold and L$35,000 were reportedly confiscated from a local businessman identified as Joe Blo.
Adding to the controversy, only 4.4 grams of gold were allegedly returned to Mr. Blo, despite initial claims that 24.3 grams had been taken by the LDEA. The Karloken Magisterial Court, acting through the County Attorney, facilitated the return of this smaller portion of gold, a move that has ignited accusations of misconduct and amplified calls for accountability within the LDEA. Nyema confirmed that the INCHR had received a formal complaint from Joe Blo, who alleges that the LDEA seized a substantially larger quantity of gold than what was officially documented. Furthermore, Blo claims that an L$80,000 payment was made via mobile money to LDEA Commander Colonel Moses B. Birr for the release of the gold, an amount he has purportedly not fully recovered.
In response to these serious allegations, LDEA Commander Col. Moses B. Birr defended the operation, asserting that his team, accompanied by a sheriff, executed a thorough search strictly following the court’s warrant. He reported that several individuals were apprehended, including Joe Blo, who was allegedly found in possession of 10.8 grams of gold, L$31,350, and a notable quantity of marijuana. Col. Birr stated that other suspects were also arrested, and various illegal items, including firearms, cigarettes, and narcotics, were seized. He maintained that all confiscated items were properly documented, duly signed by the suspects, and subsequently turned over to the court. Col. Birr expressed surprise at the claims of 24.3 grams of gold being seized, as his official records indicate the recovery of only 10.8 grams.
Col. Birr further addressed the L$80,000 payment from Joe Blo, clarifying that this sum represented a fine levied for the possession of a non-large quantity of marijuana. He confirmed that Mr. Blo was subsequently released on a surety bond.
Suggesting a motive behind the accusations, Col. Birr posited that these allegations were a calculated attempt to undermine the ongoing national effort to combat illegal drugs, a campaign declared a national emergency by President Joseph Nyumah Boakai. “I am surprised to hear that 24.3 grams of gold were allegedly taken when only 10.8 grams were seized and documented,” Col. Birr stated. “There are always false allegations meant to weaken our efforts in combatting drugs in Liberia.”
Maryland County Attorney Philip G. Whiegar has also weighed in on the matter, labeling the seizure of the gold as “illegal.” He clarified that the warrant issued by the court specifically targeted narcotics and did not authorize the seizure of personal property such as gold. County Attorney Whiegar further stated that upon becoming aware of the discrepancy in the gold seizure, he promptly instructed court officials to return the gold to its rightful owner. Following the weighing of the seized gold, the total amount was found to be only 4.4 grams, which was subsequently returned to Mr. Blo. Whiegar raised a critical question regarding the LDEA’s documentation of 10.8 grams of gold when only 4.4 grams were returned, indicating the need for a more in-depth investigation. “If 10.8 grams of gold were truly seized, the remaining gold must be accounted for,” Whiegar asserted.
The INCHR, under the leadership of Boniface Nyema, is now demanding full transparency from the LDEA and all other involved parties. The Commission is unequivocally calling for a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the handling of the seized gold and the alleged misconduct during the LDEA raid. Nyema and the INCHR have also voiced significant concern regarding the broader implications of such actions, urging the Liberian government to ensure the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected, particularly in interactions with law enforcement agencies.
“The actions of the LDEA raise serious questions about transparency and accountability,” Nyema emphasized. “We are calling for a thorough investigation to ensure that justice is served and that the rights of the individuals involved are protected.”
As this contentious situation unfolds, residents and human rights advocates are closely monitoring the developments, hoping for a fair and transparent resolution that guarantees accountability and delivers justice to those affected. The INCHR’s forceful demand for an investigation underscores the critical need for unwavering transparency in all law enforcement operations, especially in sensitive cases involving the seizure of personal property and funds.
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