By Emmanuel T. Kamanda
The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) is set to graduate 113 new officers after months of training at the National Police Training Academy, marking a major step in the agency’s efforts to strengthen its workforce and improve operations across the country.
The recruits are expected to officially join the agency following their graduation, increasing the number of officers available to combat drug trafficking and other drug-related crimes.
The graduation comes as the LDEA continues to expand its activities amid growing concerns over the spread and use of illegal drugs in Liberia.
Under the leadership of Acting Director and Officer-in-Charge, DCP Fitzgerald T.M. Biago, the agency has been working to improve its capacity by recruiting and training additional personnel.
According to LDEA officials, the recruits underwent months of rigorous training designed to prepare them for the responsibilities of law enforcement and drug enforcement operations.
The training covered key areas including criminal investigations, drug interdiction, intelligence gathering, community engagement, human rights, and professional conduct.
According to LDEA Officials, the new officers will help strengthen the agency’s presence in counties where manpower remains limited and improve its ability to respond to drug-related cases.
The recruits are also expected to support ongoing efforts to curb the trafficking and abuse of narcotics, particularly among young people.
The LDEA has repeatedly identified drug abuse as one of the country’s growing social challenges and has called for greater collaboration between communities and law enforcement agencies.
The graduation of the new officers is expected to provide additional support for operations aimed at disrupting drug networks and enforcing Liberia’s drug laws.
Families, friends, and senior government officials are expected to attend the graduation ceremony, which will formally usher the recruits into active service.
The LDEA has yet to announce the official date of the ceremony, but preparations are said to be at an advanced stage.
