By Hogkins D. Tokpah
Wee District, Grand Bassa County — A deepening scandal has shaken the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) in Wee District, following serious allegations of corruption and misconduct against the district’s LDEA Commander, Paul Koon.
Koon stands accused of releasing detained drug suspects and extorting money from local citizens — actions that allegedly violate Liberia’s Controlled Drug and Substance Act of 2023. The allegations were formally raised by City Solicitor D. Emmanuel Meezoe, who filed a detailed complaint prompting widespread calls for Koon’s suspension and investigation.
The controversy erupted after an anti-drug operation on November 1, during which Commander Koon reportedly arrested more than ten suspected drug dealers and users. However, several detainees — including known local figures Elijah Williams and a man identified only as “Rapper” — were mysteriously released from custody soon after their arrests.
The unexplained releases have triggered public outrage, with community members and civil society groups accusing the LDEA of internal interference and corruption. “We can’t fight drugs when the very people enforcing the law are breaking it,” one resident told Verity News on condition of anonymity.
Further fueling the scandal are claims that Commander Koon extorted money from citizens, allegedly demanding bribes in exchange for the return of seized property. Solicitor Meezoe cited one case in which a local motorcyclist reported that Koon demanded L$50,000 to release his confiscated motorcycle — an act Meezoe described as “a gross abuse of office and a clear breach of public trust.”
District officials and community leaders have since joined calls for disciplinary action, urging the LDEA’s central administration to intervene immediately. “Integrity in law enforcement is non-negotiable,” said one local authority. “Commander Koon must be held accountable if these allegations prove true.”
The controversy comes amid an escalating “Kush” drug crisis in Grand Bassa County, where youth addiction and trafficking have become critical public safety concerns. Citizens say the incident undermines confidence in the LDEA’s fight against narcotics and threatens to derail local anti-drug efforts.
As investigations are anticipated, pressure mounts on national authorities to ensure transparency and restore credibility within the agency. For now, the residents of Wee District await answers — and justice — in a scandal that has rocked one of Liberia’s most vital frontline institutions in the war against drugs.
