By Preston Slami Panyonnoh
Sinoe County, Liberia – The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has intensified its investigation into a major narcotics seizure in Sinoe County, even as questions grow over the treatment of the vehicle owner who unknowingly transported the alleged trafficker.
The operation, which unfolded at the Jacksonville Checkpoint in Electoral District Three, led to the discovery of seven plates of narcotics hidden in a passenger’s belongings. The LDEA hailed the seizure as a victory in the fight against drugs but has faced criticism for how it presented Augustine Sumu — the driver of the intercepted vehicle — as a prime suspect.
According to sources within the LDEA’s Sinoe Detachment and telephone conversations with Mr. Sumu, the agency acted on intelligence suggesting that a female passenger, identified only as “Mama,” was ferrying narcotics from Monrovia to Greenville. Officers stopped the four-door pickup truck and instructed the driver to continue under escort to the LDEA headquarters in Greenville City for a thorough search.
While traveling to Greenville, “Mama” reportedly asked permission to use a restroom. She left the vehicle carrying her two-year-old child, her wrist bag, and a cellphone — and never returned. Officers later examined her belongings inside the pickup and allegedly uncovered seven plates of illicit drugs. Her sudden disappearance has triggered a manhunt, with investigators appealing to the public for tips on her whereabouts.
Mr. Sumu, widely known in Sinoe as “CDC,” was detained for questioning after the bust. Though there is no evidence yet linking him directly to the narcotics, photographs circulated on social media showed him wearing a billboard tag around his neck labeling him as a suspect.
Legal analysts and residents have condemned the decision, calling it unprofessional and potentially damaging to Sumu’s reputation. “A driver is not a law enforcement officer,” one Greenville community leader noted. “He cannot search passengers’ bags at a parking station. If the LDEA wanted to question him, they could have done so without humiliating him.”
Critics argue that the agency’s approach could discourage cooperation from transport operators who might otherwise assist security forces in identifying suspicious passengers. Others warn that public shaming without solid evidence risks undermining public trust in the LDEA’s work.
Despite the controversy, LDEA officials insist they are following due process. A spokesperson said investigators are reviewing evidence to determine whether Mr. Sumu bears any criminal responsibility, including helping locate the fugitive suspect.
The case has shed light on the growing challenge of drug trafficking in Liberia’s interior counties. With porous highways and limited surveillance, rural communities remain vulnerable to smugglers targeting young people for distribution and abuse. Authorities say they are redoubling efforts to strengthen checkpoints, improve intelligence sharing, and partner with local transport services to intercept illegal substances before they reach towns and villages.
As the investigation continues, the spotlight remains on two key questions: where is “Mama,” and how should agencies balance rigorous enforcement with respect for the rights of individuals caught up in drug probes?
