MONROVIA – The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) today, August 5, 2025, welcomed a high-level delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by Senator Edwin Snowe, Chair of Liberia’s Delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament.
The delegation comprised several prominent members from the Mano River Union, ECOWAS Parliament, the Legislature, the Executive Branch, and members of the fourth estate (media).
During the visit, Honourable Snowe expressed the delegation’s appreciation for the opportunity to engage with the LDEA, particularly at a time when Liberia is grappling with a worsening drug crisis. He emphasized the importance of the visit, noting that Liberians have called for a national campaign against drug abuse, set to launch on August 7, 2025.
Representing the Director General of the LDEA, Honourable Anthony K. Souh—who later joined the delegation due to an earlier engagement—Deputy Director for Administration, Gwee Porkpah, welcomed the visitors and provided an overview of the agency’s operations. He outlined key challenges facing the LDEA, including inadequate manpower, limited resources, low salary for the current workforce and a heavy reliance on volunteers. Mr. Porkpah stressed the urgent need for increased public education on the dangers of drug use, alongside clearer interpretation and stronger enforcement of existing drug laws. He appealed to the Legislature for greater support, particularly in strengthening the legal framework and improving the adjudication of drug-related cases.
Chief of Leeward Counties, Ma’am Precious Rue, presented detailed statistics on drug-related activities for the 2024–2025 period. She reported that the agency recorded arrests involving narcotics valued at nine hundred forty-nine million, two hundred sixty-three thousand, fifteen Liberian dollars and seventy cents (L$949,263,015.70), approximately four million, nine hundred fifty-nine thousand, two hundred seventy-nine United States dollars and three cents (USD 4,959,279.03). Grand Cape Mount, Lofa, and Sinoe Counties were identified as the regions with the highest number of drug-related arrests. Rue also highlighted significant logistical and operational challenges, especially in rural areas.
The ECOWAS delegation expressed gratitude for the warm reception and commended the LDEA for its critical role in tackling Liberia’s drug epidemic. They conveyed a strong interest in gaining a deeper understanding of the agency’s challenges and reiterated their commitment to enhancing regional cooperation. The delegation emphasised that combating drug abuse is a shared responsibility across West Africa and pledged to collaborate in developing sustainable, cross-border solutions.
In conclusion, Director Souh thanked the delegation for taking an interest in the inner workings of the agency. He echoed his deputy’s concerns and applauded the ECOWAS team’s proposal for continued collaboration in addressing the pressing challenge of organised, transnational drug crime.
