Anti-Drug Rhetoric Heightens at LDEA – LDEA New Boss on Fire, Unveils 90-Day Critical Reform Plan  

By George C. Flomo

MONROVIA – Liberia’s current raging drug and sustenance abuse pandemic is not just a social and moral imperative; it is also a political issue—political issue because the reigning ruling Unity Party weaponized the drug situation in 2023 as a propaganda chip to shoot itself to power. This is why pundits had thought the administration’s fight against widespread illicit drug pandemic would be the most robust of its policies from day one of its ascendency. Instead, the lead agency charged to fight the menace on behalf for the administration, LDEA, had unfortunately been lukewarm and crisis-laden. But it seems the optics, as expressed by bellowing hot rhetoric from the acting LDEA Director General, appears collateral and proportional. In fact, he has charged himself with a 90-day plan, already ordered compulsory drug-test for all agents of the agency, and hopes are in the air. The Analyst’s reports.         

The Interim Management team of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has outlined sweeping reforms and a 90-day operational plan aimed at restoring integrity, strengthening operations, and tackling drug trafficking across Liberia.

Speaking Thursday at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing, Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Fitzgerald T. M. Biago, pledged the team’s commitment to rebuilding public confidence in the LDEA and leading an aggressive crackdown on narcotics networks.

“I have not come to re-emphasize the challenges the Agency is faced with, but to reaffirm our commitment to a safer, drug-free Liberia and our plans to improve the agency with strategic changes designed to create a more robust, accountable, and responsive organization,” Biago declared.

It can be recalled that on August 28, 2025, President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr. dismissed the then LDEA Director General Anthony K. Souh, Deputy Director General for Administration Gwee K. Porkpah, and Deputy Director General for Operations Sebastian Farr, citing administrative reasons.

In their place, the President appointed an Interim Management Team headed by DCP Fitzgerald T. M. Biago as Officer-in-Charge, alongside Ernest T. Tarpeh of the National Security Agency as Deputy for Administration/Investigation, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Patrick B. Kormazu as Deputy for Operations.

The president mandated the team to report regularly to the Minister of Justice, who will keep the President fully informed of developments at the agency.

Biago highlighted a set of immediate reforms designed to address internal credibility issues. In spoke of mandatory random drug tests with all LDEA personnel undergoing random drug testing to ensure officers are not compromised by substance abuse, and partnership engagements which have begun with government institutions, private organizations, and civil society to enhance prevention and rehabilitation.

The interim team also spoke of policy and structure review that entails a special committee to evaluate training, manpower development, communication standards, uniforms, salaries, logistics, and fleet management.

On legal framework on substance restrictions, the LDEA interim team vows to pursue a legal basis for implementing the Ministry of Health’s new restrictions on Shisha and Tramadol, as well as embarking upon standardization of procedures, which is evidence handling, arrest protocols, and prosecution support guidelines to be updated.

The team also announced a strategic plan review, disclosing that the LDEA’s five-year strategic plan is being reassessed to align with new national priorities.

According to head of the interim team, Biago, the team has already drawn up a 90-day operations strategy focused on dismantling drug trafficking networks, demolishing ghettos, and suppressing substance abuse nationwide.

“To achieve this, I am encouraging the press and all other stakeholders, the Liberia National Police, Liberia Immigration Service, Fire Service, and all national security apparatus to join efforts with the LDEA in securing the future of our children now, and the unborn,” he urged.

Restoring Credibility

The LDEA has long faced criticism for inefficiency and lack of accountability. The interim leadership’s reform agenda and operational plan are seen as a test of whether the agency can regain public trust and deliver on the government’s promise of a tougher stance against Liberia’s drug crisis.