Senate Security Committee Moves To Strengthen LDEA Capacity

By Amos Harris

The Liberian Senate’s Committee on Defense, Security, Intelligence, and Veteran Affairs is taking steps to strengthen the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), addressing concerns about its operational challenges in combating illegal drugs.

Speaking at the Capitol Building, Committee Chairman Senator Momo T. Cyrus stated that the Senate is advocating for increased funding and logistical support for the LDEA. He noted that the agency is facing “severe institutional weaknesses” that are hindering Liberia’s fight against narcotics.

The announcement followed a meeting between the Committee and the LDEA’s Officer-in-Charge, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Fitzgerald Biago. According to Senator Cyrus, the purpose of the meeting was to evaluate the agency’s progress under Biago’s leadership, identify major obstacles, and plan reforms to improve its effectiveness.

During the meeting, Biago highlighted several critical issues facing the LDEA, including over 1,000 agents who have worked for more than a decade without being on the government payroll, a lack of operational vehicles, and the agency’s run-down headquarters.

“The situation at the LDEA is undermining Liberia’s fight against illicit drugs,” Senator Cyrus lamented, pointing out that unpaid agents and a lack of logistical capacity are contributing to the unchecked spread of narcotics throughout the country.

To address these shortcomings, the Senate Committee has requested a full list of the agency’s staff, including their qualifications and salaries, to inform future budget decisions. Senator Cyrus also disclosed that the Ministry of Finance has already committed to providing 15 vehicles to the agency during the current fiscal year. He further revealed that an agreement has been reached for the LDEA to move from its current dilapidated headquarters to a more appropriate facility.

Looking ahead, Senator Cyrus assured that the Committee will actively lobby for more financial support in the 2026 national budget to enhance the LDEA’s capacity at all levels, enabling it to effectively fulfill its mandate.