By D. Abraham Cooper Sr.
Grand Gedeh County — The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) in Grand Gedeh County has rearrested a suspected drug trafficker who allegedly escaped custody after deceiving officers during a roadside security inspection earlier this month.
The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Martha Toe, is currently being detained at the LDEA headquarters in Zwedru, where she is undergoing investigation for alleged involvement in drug trafficking activities.
According to LDEA authorities, the incident began on May 6, 2026, during a routine inspection operation at the agency’s main checkpoint in Grand Gedeh County. Officers reportedly stopped a commercial vehicle traveling from Monrovia to Grand Kru County and conducted a search of the vehicle.
During the inspection, agents allegedly discovered eight plates of compressed marijuana concealed inside the vehicle. Authorities estimated the street value of the narcotics at approximately US$800, equivalent to more than L$152,000 Liberian dollars.
Investigators later linked the drugs to Martha Toe, who was among the occupants of the vehicle at the time of the search.
However, before officers could complete formal processing procedures, the suspect allegedly requested permission to use the nearby bushes under the pretense of answering nature’s call. Security sources disclosed that she instead fled the area, prompting an immediate manhunt by LDEA officers.
Following her escape, the vehicle driver was detained and taken to the LDEA headquarters in Zwedru for questioning. During interrogation, the driver reportedly denied ownership of the marijuana, claiming he had only been contracted to transport the goods and that the narcotics belonged exclusively to the suspect.
Based on intelligence gathered during the investigation, the LDEA Grand Gedeh Detachment launched a coordinated operation in collaboration with officers in neighboring Grand Kru County to track down the suspect.
After several days of surveillance and search operations, authorities successfully rearrested Martha Toe on May 14, 2026.
The LDEA confirmed that the suspect remains in custody while investigators finalize case files and compile photographic evidence for submission to national authorities for prosecution.
The agency says the arrest forms part of its ongoing crackdown on illegal drug trafficking and substance abuse across southeastern Liberia.
Officials have meanwhile reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening border inspections and checkpoint operations aimed at curbing the movement of narcotics throughout the country.
