By Edwin N Khakie
As Liberia’s war on drugs gathers momentum, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) Bong County Detachment is appealing for urgent logistical support to strengthen its operations, with mobility being the top priority among critical needs.
The call was made by Special Agent Alassan Dolly, Chief of Operations for the Bong Detachment, who disclosed that the unit currently has no operational motorcycles for field activities.
Speaking to reporters in Gbarnga, Dolly said the lack of mobility is severely undermining efforts to track and apprehend drug traffickers, particularly in rural communities where the trade is most active. He emphasized that many of these areas are only accessible by motorcycle due to poor road conditions.
“Without motorbikes, our officers are handicapped. We receive reports of drug sales and consumption in remote towns, but by the time we find means of transportation, the perpetrators are gone. This weakens the fight against drugs and puts our communities at greater risk,” Dolly explained.
The LDEA Bong Detachment has been stepping up operations in recent months amid growing concerns about drug abuse and its social impact on young people in the county. However, Dolly noted that without logistical reinforcement, the gains made so far could be short-lived.
He therefore called on both county authorities and the central government to prioritize support to the agency if the fight against illicit drugs is to achieve meaningful results.
“The drug problem is not just an LDEA issue; it is a national security and public health concern. Stronger support at the local and national levels will enable us to save more lives and protect our communities,” he stressed.
The appeal comes as civil society organizations, parents, and religious leaders in Bong County continue to raise alarms over the growing presence of narcotic substances, especially among young people.
Meanwhile, residents have expressed hope that the government will respond swiftly to the LDEA’s request, warning that a lack of timely intervention could further expose the county to drug-related crimes.
