‎LDEA Arrests Guinean National with Tramadol Worth Over L$7 million at Ganta Border

The Nimba County Detachment of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has arrested a Guinean national in connection with a major drug seizure involving Tramadol valued at more than US$40,000 (approximately L$7 million) in Ganta.‎‎The suspect, Mohammed Sheriff, was apprehended by joint security officers at the Ganta Port of Entry while allegedly transporting the illegal drugs into Liberia.‎‎Speaking to reporters, the Nimba County Detachment Commander of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, Special Agent Buster Jolon, praised the level of cooperation among joint security officers stationed at the border.

‎‎According to him, the arrest followed a report from the agency’s operations team about a major seizure made at the Ganta border.‎‎ “Yesterday evening, I received a call from my operations team informing me that there was a huge seizure made at the Ganta border. The joint security team immediately coordinated efforts to transport the suspect, the drugs, and the vehicle used to our headquarters,” Jolon explained.‎‎ He disclosed that after conducting a full count, authorities estimated the street value of the confiscated Tramadol at over US$40,000, equivalent to about 7 million Liberian dollars.‎‎The drugs were reportedly transported in a vehicle that is currently parked at the LDEA headquarters in Nimba County as part of the ongoing investigation.‎‎

Authorities identified the suspect as Mohammed Sheriff, a Guinean national born on July 10, 1979, who claims to operate a commercial transport business between Guinea and Liberia.‎‎According to the LDEA commander, Sheriff is expected to face multiple charges under Liberia’s drug laws, including illegal possession, importation, and transportation of controlled substances, in violation of Sections 14.83, 14.85, and 14.89 of the Liberian Penal Law, along with provisions under Sections 50.5 and 50.6.‎‎Jolon said the suspect will be forwarded to court within the legally required 48-hour period, noting that Sundays are not counted as part of the processing time.‎‎During an interview with reporters, Sheriff claimed he was unaware that the items he transported contained drugs. 

He alleged that an unidentified woman in Guinea asked him to carry what he believed were clothes to someone in Monrovia.‎‎“I’m a driver trying to take care of my family,” Sheriff said. “A woman at the parking area told me she had clothes to send to Monrovia. They wrapped the clothes and placed them inside bags. I didn’t know there were drugs inside.”‎‎He further stated that he does not know the woman’s name but said she provided a phone number which investigators are expected to review as part of the ongoing probe.‎‎

Meanwhile, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency says the investigation remains active as authorities work to track down other individuals possibly connected to the trafficking attempt.‎‎The seizure forms part of ongoing efforts by Liberian security forces to combat drug trafficking across the country’s borders, particularly at major entry points such as the Ganta Port of Entry

Author: P Uriah Suah