River Gee County | Nov. 9, 2025 | The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency – LDEA River Gee detachment has arrested a man identified as Chris Doe for allegedly possessing a quantity of the illegal narcotic substance known locally as “Kush.”
According to Special Agent Bill M. Cooper Jr., Commander of the LDEA’s River Gee detachment, the arrest occurred on the evening of Friday, November 7, 2025, around 8:35 p.m. at the Gbeapo Karweaken checkpoint.
He said officers reportedly intercepted the suspect during a routine security search and discovered 29.6 grams of Kush in his possession.
However, the LDEA authorities have estimated the seized narcotics to have a street value of approximately L$159,500.
The suspect, a 38-year-old Liberian national and resident of Gbeapo Karweaken, was immediately taken into custody and transported to the LDEA’s local headquarters for interrogation.
Commander Cooper described the operation as part of a broader intelligence-driven initiative aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks operating within River Gee and the wider southeastern region.
“This arrest underscores our ongoing commitment to protect Liberian communities from the devastating effects of narcotics,” Commander Cooper said. “Our officers remain alert and resolute in ensuring that those who threaten public safety through drug crimes are brought to justice.”
Official LDEA records reveal that Chris Doe, born March 15, 1987, and of the Grebo ethnic group, is a repeat offender previously linked to the distribution and sale of illegal substances.
Investigators confirmed that he had been under close surveillance for several months prior to his arrest due to intelligence suggesting his involvement in a wider drug trafficking network.
Following his detention, LDEA investigators launched an extensive probe to determine whether Doe is connected to a broader ring responsible for smuggling Kush and other narcotics into River Gee and neighboring counties, including cross-border routes leading into Côte d’Ivoire.
The agency has confirmed that Doe will be formally charged and arraigned before the Gbeapo Karweaken City Magisterial Court on Monday, November 10, 2025, where he will face charges related to illegal possession and trafficking of controlled substances.
Local government and residents have since commended the LDEA for its swift and professional operation.
They stressed that the arrest serves as a warning to others engaged in the drug trade and reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering border and checkpoint surveillance across strategic entry points in the county.
“We are stepping up coordination among law enforcement units to prevent the movement of narcotics through our borders,” a county security representative told Verity News. “The safety and wellbeing of our youth and communities depend on collective vigilance.”
The River Gee arrest forms part of the LDEA’s nationwide crackdown on the production, distribution, and consumption of Kush, a synthetic drug that has gained alarming popularity among Liberia’s youth in recent years.
The agency continues to intensify operations across all 15 counties as part of a national strategy to curb rising drug-related crimes and the associated social and health challenges.
Authorities have reiterated calls for community cooperation, urging citizens to report suspicious drug-related activities to law enforcement to help curb the growing menace.
