Gbarnga, Bong County – The Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA) Bong County Detachment, on Monday, January 5, 2026, arrested four individuals during a drug raid in the Kampala Barrack area of Gbarnga City, Bong County.
The operation, carried out Monday afternoon, targeted the area within the Methodist Compound, which residents describe as a known gathering place for disadvantaged youths and a hotspot for drug-related and criminal activities.
Those arrested were identified as Stephen Diggs, also known as “Stego,” a teenage drug user; Rico Cooper; and Alieu Kanneh, who said he is a motorcyclist. The identity of the fourth suspect was not immediately clarified by authorities.
According to Bong County LDEA Commander Thomas Saye, the raid followed a tip-off indicating that illegal activities had resumed in the area despite previous joint security operations that had significantly reduced its occupancy.
Commander Saye disclosed that Diggs was allegedly found in possession of six parcels of Kush, each valued at L$3,000, with an estimated total street value of L$18,000. He said Diggs is suspected of being actively involved in illegal drug activities.
The LDEA commander emphasized that investigations are ongoing and that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. He confirmed that the suspects will be formally charged and forwarded to the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarnga for prosecution.
Commander Saye also called on residents of Bong County to support the fight against illegal drugs by reporting suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters following his arrest, Diggs admitted to being involved in drug dealing, claiming it was a means of survival. He also made unverified allegations that some LDEA officers in Gbarnga are involved in drug trafficking, claiming they maintain contact with dealers and receive payments from drug sales.
The LDEA has not responded to these allegations, and no evidence has been presented to substantiate the claims.
Despite his assertions, Diggs acknowledged the efforts of the LDEA in combating drugs in Bong County and urged fairness and professionalism during enforcement operations.
Kanneh, one of the suspects, told reporters that he was hired to transport Rico Cooper, who was allegedly attempting to retrieve a mobile phone said to have been stolen by one of the youths in the area.
