By Stephanie M. Duncan
MONROVIA – Authorities of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) are to face to members of the House of Representatives over concerns regarding the handling of US$19 million RIA drug bust in which the entity is accused of concealing the identities of individuals it has apprehended.
Bong County District 6 Representative Moima Briggs Mensah, calling for transparency in the ongoing investigation into the seizure of narcotics, questioned the decision by authorities to withhold the identities of suspects and persons of interest linked to the case.
Her concerns prompted the House of Representatives to summon senior officials of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), Customs authorities, and airport management to appear before plenary and provide a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the high-profile drug interception.
In a communication to the House, Representative Mensah sought clarity and accountability regarding the handling of the case, particularly the apparent lack of public disclosure about individuals allegedly connected to the narcotics shipment.
According to the lawmaker, the public deserves a full explanation from the authorities, especially given the magnitude of the seizure and the questions surrounding its intended destination.
“The real issue is that these drugs were not being imported into Liberia—they were being exported when they were intercepted. That Monday, I was at the airport. The LDEA should be telling the Liberian people the full truth,” Representative Mensah stated.
She further expressed concern over what she described as the concealment of critical information from the public.
“It is deeply concerning that the names of those allegedly involved are being concealed while the public continues to demand answers,” she added.
The lawmaker’s comments have fueled renewed public debate over transparency and accountability in the fight against drug trafficking, with many Liberians calling for a full disclosure of the facts surrounding the case.
Members of the House subsequently agreed to invite the relevant security and airport authorities to appear before plenary to explain the circumstances of the seizure, provide updates on the investigation, and clarify why the identities of suspects and persons of interest have not been made public.
The hearing is expected to focus on how the drugs entered the airport system, their intended destination, the status of ongoing investigations, and whether any arrests have been made in connection with the case.
The seizure, one of the largest reported drug interceptions in recent years, has heightened concerns about Liberia’s vulnerability to international drug trafficking networks and the effectiveness of security measures at the country’s main international gateway.
Lawmakers say the appearance of the security officials will provide an opportunity for the Liberian people to receive answers on a matter that has generated significant national interest and raised important questions about transparency in law enforcement operations.
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