On October 2, 2024, key stakeholders convened in Greenville to address the growing problem of drug abuse and devise strategies to combat the crisis. The meeting, organized by the Sinoe County Rural Women Association, brought together the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), local leaders, health officials, and community representatives to discuss solutions and respond to allegations of officer misconduct in the fight against drugs.
Alfred A. Sombai, Special Agent of the LDEA in Sinoe, underscored the importance of community collaboration in combating drug-related crimes. He called for stricter checkpoint enforcement and emphasized that the LDEA must take a more proactive approach in their operations. Sombai also highlighted the urgent need for recreational centers to rehabilitate youth affected by drug abuse, while lamenting the lack of adequate mobility, which hampers the agency’s ability to conduct operations efficiently across the county.
Community members voiced their concerns, with Levi Teah, youth leader of Seebeh Community, accusing some LDEA officers of tipping off drug dealers before raids. Responding to these claims, County Attorney Anthony Daniel T. K. Dweh acknowledged the challenges at the overcrowded Greenville Central Prison, revealing that over 80 inmates are being held in a facility designed to accommodate only 25. Dweh called on the government to better resource the LDEA and stressed the need for rehabilitation programs to aid in recovery efforts.
Sinoe County Superintendent Hon. Peter Wleh Nyenswah encouraged the Rural Women Association to empower more women to take an active role in combating drug abuse. He revealed that plans are underway to establish a rehabilitation center in the county and called for thorough investigations into drug-related cases.
The meeting highlighted the urgency of addressing the drug abuse crisis in Sinoe County, with all stakeholders committing to collaborative efforts moving forward.
