By Moses M. Tokpah
Police in Kakata City, Margibi County, have made significant strides in their fight against drug trafficking, apprehending three suspected drug dealers on Monday, March 10, 2025.
The suspects include 25-year-old John Sumo from Gbofehla Community, 40-year-old Nowah Tokpah from Bassa Community, and 22-year-old Anita Jallah, who is pregnant and hails from Kissi Community.
The arrests occurred at an entertainment center owned by Kaymah Cole, who is identified as the mother of Anita Jallah and is reportedly a notorious figure in local drug dealings.
Although Cole was not present during the operation, both Anita and Nowah were allegedly caught selling narcotics to John Sumo at the entertainment center.
According to Margibi’s Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Patrick B. Kormazu, the police acted on a tip-off and secured a search and seizure warrant from the Kakata Magisterial Court.
He stated that upon executing the warrant, officers seized an array of narcotic substances including 120 pieces of kush, 170 pieces of tramadol, 37 ties of heroin, and 71 pieces of cocaine.
Additionally, he disclosed that they confiscated cash amounting to L$28,490 along with drug scales and a tablet (iPod).
The suspects have since been handed over to the Kakata Magisterial Court for further processing before being transferred to the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA) Margibi Detachment for comprehensive investigation.
This operation underscores ongoing efforts by law enforcement officers to combat drug-related crimes in Margibi County, where community members have expressed concerns over the impact of drug trafficking on local youth.
The police have previously reported similar successes in the area, indicating a concerted effort to restore safety and confidence among residents by actively pursuing drug dealers and collaborating with the community for information and support.
For his part, John Sumo has denied his involvement in drug trafficking, claiming he was acting as an informant for the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) by gathering information on the two female suspects as he has always done.
John stated that he was arrested while attempting to collect additional details about the activities of the women.
Both female suspects have also denied the allegations against them, asserting that the police wrongfully arrested them and allegedly stole over L$120,000 during the arrest.
Specifically, one suspect reported over L$52,000 stolen, while the other claimed more than L$68,000 was taken, but the police have refuted these claims of theft.