The new Director General of the Drug Enforcement Agency, Abraham Kromah, has warned that any DEA officer caught aiding and abetting drug dealers will be arrested, dismissed, and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“We are not here to witch-hunt anybody, but please be professional in discharging your duty. You got nothing to fear if you are professional in doing your job,” Kromah stressed.
The new DEA Director General also disclosed that all officers of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency will be subjected to drug tests before being considered in the employ of the agency. “Those who will test positive will immediately be dismissed,” he emphasized.
According to him, harmful drugs were destroying the country and its people and as such, those leading the fight must be an example by being drug free.
He said the LDEA, under his administration, will do everything possible to support President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s fight against the menace which is destroying the future of the country. “I am going to do my best to ensure that the President and the government succeed in the fight against drugs in Liberia,” the DEA Director General promised.
He spoke at the weekend during his first interactive meeting with employees of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency.
Kromah used the occasion to appeal to the government and its development partners for logistics, including vehicles, telephones, body wearing cameras, communication radios, and to help relocate the LDEA to a better environment.
Kromah, who is the former Deputy Police Inspector General for Operations of the Liberia National Police, emphasized that the current building hosting the agency is deplorable and does not represent an institution that is leading the fight against drugs.
Meanwhile, the LDEA’s Director General has ordered, with immediate effect, a halt to all raids across the country. “Do not carry out any raid until they are properly and professionally planned,” Kromah stressed.
He further disclosed that he has already received intelligence on several drug importers and dealers in the country and assured that the LDEA with go after and arrest all of them.
According to him, gone are the days when drug dealers were arrested, investigated, and released. He said drug is now a non-bailable crime, and those to be arrested will be in prison while going through prosecution; “that’s the law”, He pointed out.
He reemphasized his recent comment during his confirmation hearing that officers of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency should not be paid below US$400.
He noted that this would motivate officers of the LDEA to be committed to the fight against drugs throughout the country.
Abraham Siaka Kromah officially took over the helm of authority at the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency on last Friday, February 9, 2024.
