Officers of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) have arrested two men in connection with the trafficking of a substantial quantity of the synthetic drug known as “Kush,” along the Bo Waterside Border in Grand Cape Mount County.
In an official statement issued by the LDEA on Monday, July 7, 2025, the suspects, 26-year-old Liberian national Joseph Barclay and 23-year-old Sierra Leonean national David Kalokoh, were arrested on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at approximately 2:30 PM at the Bo Waterside Port of Entry in Grand Cape Mount County.
The LDEA release is quoted as saying officers discovered one kilogram of Kush, valued at approximately US$20,000 (equivalent to LD$3.8 million), concealed inside a black Wrangler Jeep that was being towed due to mechanical issues.
“This operation was the result of vigilant intelligence and strong inter-agency coordination at one of our most active border points,” said an LDEA spokesperson. “Drug traffickers continue to exploit weak spots in our transportation and border systems, but we are sending a clear message: Liberia is not a safe haven for narcotics,” the statement noted.
The LDEA statement further that following the arrest, both suspects were formally investigated and have since been charged.
Meanwhile, the suspects have been forwarded to the Tienii Magisterial Court pending prosecution.
However, the agency emphasized its ongoing commitment to combating drug trafficking across Liberia, calling on the public to join the effort by reporting any suspicious drug-related activity.
“We urge every citizen to play a part in keeping our communities safe,” the LDEA noted. “Anyone with information on drug trafficking or abuse is encouraged to call our hotline at 0777-133-333.”
The latest seizure adds to a growing list of Kush-related arrests in Liberia, underscoring what authorities have described as a troubling rise in the drug’s presence and popularity among young people.
The LDEA says it is working closely with regional partners to prevent cross-border drug smuggling and has pledged to continue its aggressive stance against narcotics across all 15 counties.
