The John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital has handed over narcotic substances extracted from a patient seeking medical care to the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA).
The individual initially sought treatment at Jackson F. Doe Memorial Hospital in Tappita, Nimba County, before being transferred to JFK.
Dr. Peter Coleman, head of the Surgical Department at JFK, revealed that the drugs were removed from the patient’s abdomen during a procedure known as exploratory laparotomy, performed with the consent of the patient’s family.
Exploratory laparotomy involves opening the abdominal cavity to identify the cause of severe issues such as pain or bleeding.
“The surgical procedure was conducted by one of our junior doctors, who successfully extracted several packages from the patient’s rectum and abdomen,” Dr. Coleman stated.
The hospital had received reports suggesting that the patient was involved in drug trafficking. “We were informed that the man is a drug peddler being pursued by the LDEA, which likely led him to swallow the substances and subsequently fall unconscious,” Dr. Coleman added.
Dr. Coleman confirmed that the patient remains under medical care at JFK and will be turned over to the LDEA upon completion of his treatment. “The individual will be handed over to the LDEA once his medical condition stabilizes,” he disclosed.
LDEA Regional Commander Clarence Clarke meanwhile expressed gratitude to JFK’s management and the Liberia National Police for their intervention. “I want to thank the LDEA for always collaborating with us in tracking down drug users in the country,” Clarke said.
He assured that the suspect would face prosecution in accordance with the law.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges Liberia faces in combating drug trafficking and highlights the crucial role of medical institutions in assisting law enforcement efforts.
LDEA’s committed to pursuing legal action against those involved in the illegal drug trade remains cardinal to the fight against drugs.
By: Caroline Gensee/ Contributing Writer
