LDEA Chief of Operations Suspended Amid Allegations of Interference in Drug Arrest

The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has suspended its Chief of Operations, Major Abraham Okai Payne, following the emergence of a leaked audio recording that allegedly captures him attempting to obstruct justice in a drug-related arrest involving his daughter. The audio, which began circulating on social media on Monday, reportedly features Major Payne pressuring junior officers to release his daughter, who was allegedly apprehended in a Monrovia ghetto community with illegal narcotics. In the recording, the senior official can be heard insisting that his daughter should not be detained, despite the provisions of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2023, which mandates detention for individuals found in possession of illicit substances. The LDEA, in a statement issued Tuesday evening, confirmed Payne’s suspension and announced the launch of a formal investigation by its Board of Internal Inquiry and Professional Standards. “The Agency remains committed to impartial enforcement of the law and will not tolerate any form of interference, regardless of rank or relationship,” the statement read. This development comes amid heightened public scrutiny of Liberia’s drug enforcement efforts, following a mass protest in Monrovia on August 7. Thousands of citizens took to the streets demanding stronger action against drug trafficking and abuse, citing the devastating impact of narcotics on youth and vulnerable communities. Civil society organizations and anti-drug campaigners have condemned the alleged interference, calling it a betrayal of public trust and a threat to the credibility of the LDEA’s mandate. “This is not just about one official—it’s about whether our institutions are serious about protecting Liberians from the scourge of drugs,” said activist Sarah Kpannah during a Tuesday radio broadcast. The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2023 prescribes strict penalties for drug possession, use, and trafficking, with limited provisions for bail. The law was enacted to signal Liberia’s commitment to curbing the drug epidemic and restoring public confidence in law enforcement. Observers warn that failure to address the allegations decisively could undermine recent gains in the fight against narcotics and reinforce a culture of impunity. “Institutional integrity must be non-negotiable,” said governance analyst Emmanuel Gaye. “If the law is not applied equally, we risk losing the momentum built by public advocacy and reform.” As of Wednesday morning, Major Payne has not publicly responded to the allegations. The LDEA has pledged to provide updates as the investigation progresses, assuring the public that