The Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) has issued a strong warning about the growing threat of drug importation in Liberia, calling it a human rights crisis that disproportionately affects the nation’s youth.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, INCHR Chairman Cllr. T. Dempster Brown highlighted a concerning pattern of drug trafficking in Liberia and the failure of law enforcement to consistently prosecute those responsible for importing narcotics into the country.
“Drugs are a human rights issue,” Cllr. Brown said. “It affects the health and well-being of our people, especially young Liberians who are the most vulnerable. As a commission mandated to uphold human rights, we are deeply concerned by the increasing presence of dangerous substances in our communities.”
Liberia as a Transit Hub
According to the commission’s findings, Liberia has long been identified by the international community as a transit point for illicit drugs.
Cllr. Brown referenced a 2007 case under the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf administration in which a vessel transporting drugs was intercepted at the Freeport of Monrovia.
Although arrests were made, the legal process was complicated and prolonged.
Similar concerns were raised about the past administration of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), during which a reported $1 million worth of cocaine was imported.
The case, however, collapsed in court due to what the Commission described as the wrongful indictment of individuals who were not the actual importers.
Cllr. Brown also noted that in 2024, individuals arriving at the Roberts International Airport with drugs were apprehended, but the key importers were never brought to justice, once again resulting in the case being thrown out.
New Drug Threat Emerging
More recently, INCHR has uncovered disturbing trends from its monitors stationed at key border points, particularly Bo-Waterside near Sierra Leone.
The commission reports a steady flow of narcotics into Liberia via vehicles, with arrests frequently made at the point of entry.
Alarmingly, a new synthetic drug known as Methcathinone, commonly referred to as “CAT,” has entered the local drug market.
“CAT is a dangerous substance that poses significant health risks, and its growing presence in Liberia should raise urgent concern,” Cllr. Brown warned.
Failure to Prosecute Importers
A recurring theme in the commission’s statement is the apparent impunity enjoyed by drug importers.
While low-level users and street sellers are regularly arrested, the individuals responsible to traffic the drugs into Liberia continue to operate freely.
“The proliferation of drugs is largely due to the fact that the real perpetrators, the importers, bare not being arrested or prosecuted. This must change,” Cllr. Brown stated.
INCHR Recommendations
To address the crisis, the INCHR issued several recommendations to the Government of Liberia:
Target the Importers: The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) should prioritize the arrest and prosecution of importers, not just consumers and sellers.
Confiscate and Reallocate Assets: Ships, airplanes, and vehicles found carrying drugs should be seized and auctioned, with proceeds directed to the government’s consolidated account.
Support the LDEA: The government should increase funding for the LDEA, improve salaries for personnel, and formalize the employment of volunteer officers currently operating in uniform.
Regional Cooperation: The President of Liberia should engage counterparts in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ivory Coast to address drug trafficking as a regional issue through the Mano River Union.
The Commission also commended the ongoing efforts of the LDEA, noting that despite limited resources and low pay, officers continue to fight the drug epidemic on the frontlines.
