The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2014, as amended and restated in 2023, states, “The cultivation, manufacturing, importation, export, trafficking, and sale of controlled drugs and substances considered a first-degree felony, classified as a non-bailable offense with life imprisonment if found guilty.”
The son of Representative Musa Bility, Peach Bility, was arrested in March 2024 by the Liberian Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) at Miami Beach with illegal drugs and firearms. Authorities discovered 21.4 grams of Kush, 500 grams of Marijuana, a single-barrel gun, an orange-colored firearm, and a black pistol with ammunition.
He was charged with the possession of an unlicensed firearm and the sale and distribution of illegal drugs, both of which are non-bailable offenses under Liberian Law. However, in December 2024, credible reports emerged that Rep. Bility had visited his son’s prison cell in Monrovia, and shortly after his visit, Peach Bility was mysteriously released without appearing before a court for trial even though the crimes he committed were non-bailable. The circumstances surrounding his release have raised serious concerns about Liberia’s justice system’s integrity, independence, and fairness.
Following the arrest, Representative Bility publicly expressed his disappointment, vowing to support the legal process, even if it meant his son would face imprisonment. However, in December 2024, reports emerged that the lawmaker had visited his son’s prison cell, and shortly after, Peach Bility was mysteriously released without appearing before a court.
The circumstances surrounding his release have raised serious concerns about the integrity of Liberia’s justice system. While many individuals accused of lesser crimes remain detained in overcrowded prisons, Peach Bility has been seen in Kakata City, reportedly en route to Nimba County. Witnesses claim he was driving a vehicle belonging to his father’s foundation, marking a stark contrast to his previous status as an accused drug dealer.
With drug addiction and trafficking wreaking havoc on communities across Liberia, the abrupt release of Representative Bility’s son has fueled debates over whether the law is applied equally. The case highlights the ongoing struggle between justice and privilege, leaving many questioning the government’s commitment to the fight against drugs.
