By Precious D. Freeman
The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), through its Nimba County Detachment, has made a significant breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against illegal drug cultivation with the arrest of two individuals in the Tappita Forest.
The arrest follows credible intelligence received on April 9, 2025, alerting authorities to the cultivation of marijuana in the forested area.
In response, the LDEA Tappita Detail Commander mobilized a team of officers and launched a swift operation to verify the report.
Upon reaching the location, officers uncovered an active marijuana plantation spanning a one-lot parcel of land. The team promptly cut down the marijuana plants and apprehended two suspects at the scene.
The arrested individuals have been identified as 36-year-old Mark Gaye, a resident of Tappita’s Power Station, and 30-year-old Emmanuel Mark, a resident of Tappita City. Both suspects are Liberian nationals and have been confirmed as marijuana farmers.
During the operation, officers seized a total of 13 kilograms of processed marijuana, estimated at a street value of US$1,300, or approximately LR$247,000.
The suspects are currently undergoing investigations at the LDEA Headquarters in Tappita and will be forwarded to court as the agency continues its crackdown on narcotic drug activities in the region.
In a statement following the operation, the LDEA reiterated its commitment to safeguarding Liberia’s communities from the harmful effects of illegal drugs.
The agency also encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious drug-related activity.
“The fight against illegal drugs is a collective effort. We urge all citizens to support us by reporting what they see. Together, we can protect our communities,” the LDEA stated.
