By Wilmot Konah—DN News Liberia Legislative Reporter / +231775793638
Capital Hill, Monrovia: Bong County Electoral District Six Representative Moima Briggs-Mensah has strongly criticized the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) for what she described as the agency’s delay in disclosing the identities of individuals linked to the recent seizure of narcotics valued at approximately US$19 million at Roberts International Airport (RIA).
Speaking during Thursday’s sitting of the House of Representatives, Rep. Briggs-Mensah expressed concern over the handling of the high-profile drug case, arguing that the public deserves timely information regarding those allegedly connected to one of the country’s largest drug seizures in recent years.
The Bong County lawmaker described the agency’s approach as deceptive and said the continued withholding of information could fuel public suspicion and undermine confidence in the government’s commitment to combating the illegal drug trade.
“As representatives of the people, we have a responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in matters of national concern,” Briggs-Mensah told her colleagues during deliberations. “Liberians deserve to know who is connected to this case and what actions are being taken.”
Following intense deliberations Thursday, the plenary of the House of Representatives voted to summoned the LDEA, along with other relevant state security agencies, to appear before the Legislature next Tuesday and provide updates on the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, the Officer-in-Charge of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, Fitzgerald Biago, has appealed for patience as investigators continue their work.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing, Biago described the case as a transnational criminal operation requiring extensive investigation and coordination with both local and international partners.
According to him, investigators have already identified six persons of interest who are currently in LDEA custody and undergoing questioning in connection with the case. However, Biago declined to disclose their identities, citing security concerns and the need to preserve the integrity of the investigation.”This is not an ordinary case,” he explained. “It is a transnational crime, and we must ensure that every aspect of the investigation is thoroughly conducted before releasing sensitive information to the public.”
The LDEA boss assured Liberians that the agency remains committed to pursuing everyone connected to the drug shipment and promised that the findings of the investigation would be made public at the appropriate time.
The seizure, which authorities estimate to be worth approximately US$19 million, is among the largest drug interceptions recorded in Liberia in recent years and has renewed concerns about the country’s vulnerability to international narcotics trafficking networks.
As calls for transparency continue to grow, the summons by House of Representatives, will enable lawmakers to determine probe LDEA officials and other security authorities to provide further details on the ongoing investigation.
