By Amos Harris
The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has uncovered what it calls one of the country’s most deceptive drug smuggling operations after the arrest of a 70-year-old woman in the densely populated West Point township of Monrovia.
Acting on credible intelligence, an official LDEA Special Drug Squad confiscated a significant quantity of KUSH, a synthetic and highly addictive narcotic. The drugs were valued at over one million Liberian dollars (L$1,000,000).
Investigators revealed a cunning concealment method: the KUSH was cleverly hidden inside nine small mineral water bottles, a tactic apparently designed to deceive law enforcement and evade detection.
The suspect, identified as Mrs. Lucy S. Morris, is currently in LDEA custody for questioning. Authorities confirmed she will be charged and forwarded to court under the Amended Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2023, which imposes stiffer penalties for drug-related offenses.
The high-profile arrest has sparked renewed public debate over the escalating crisis of narcotics trafficking and substance abuse in Liberia, particularly within vulnerable, overcrowded communities like West Point.
Critics argue that the continued spread of KUSH, notorious for its devastating physical and mental effects, highlights the government’s struggle to control the drug epidemic and the failure of current rehabilitation and prevention programs.
Despite frequent LDEA raids and arrests, community residents say the supply chain remains resilient, with traffickers constantly devising new methods to bypass security surveillance. They point to the recent tactic of concealing narcotics in water bottles as evidence of just how desperate and innovative the drug trade has become.
In a statement, the LDEA reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment” to dismantling drug trafficking networks nationwide. The agency also issued a warning to dealers, noting that many are now using motorcycles and tricycles (kekehs) to distribute small quantities of drugs—a trend now being closely monitored by enforcement units.
The agency further urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities linked to narcotics trafficking in their communities.
However, civil society organizations and anti-drug advocates insist that the government’s fight against drugs must go beyond arrests. They emphasize the critical need for comprehensive rehabilitation programs, youth awareness initiatives, and cross-border cooperation to effectively curb the crisis.
As Liberia grapples with an escalating drug epidemic, the West Point bust serves as a stark warning: the country’s war on drugs is far from over, and even the most unlikely citizens are being drawn into its dangerous web.
Comments are closed.