By Precious D. Freeman
A 56-year-old Liberian-Netherlands resident and CEO of Euphrates Enterprise, Rita Satta Williams, has been sent to Central Prison by the Monrovia City Court Judge.
The court’s decision follows her arrest by the Liberian Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA) for the possession of 1.9 kilograms of cocaine.
Ms. Williams was apprehended on June 15, 2024, at approximately 11:20 a.m. at the Clay checkpoint in Bomi County.
LDEA officers intercepted her while she was traveling from Guinea through Sierra Leone to Liberia.
The LDEA revealed that based on intelligence gathered at the Clay checkpoint, officers assigned there intercepted a traveler coming from Guinea through Sierra Leone to Liberia and the individual was found with a suitcase containing 1.9 kilograms of cocaine.
“The accused was informed of her constitutional rights upon arrest and subsequently brought to LDEA headquarters in Monrovia for further investigation,” stated the LDEA in its report.
During preliminary investigations, Ms. Williams admitted to purchasing the illicit substance from individuals in Guinea and Nigeria for a sum of US$14,000 and intended to transport the cocaine to Holland and the Netherlands, where she currently resides.
Williams recounted that her involvement in the drug trade began in May 2024, when she traveled to Guinea to explore opening a clothing store.
There, she met a lady only identified as Lady T, who introduced her to the idea of drug trafficking, explaining that cocaine could yield fast money in Europe.
After considering the proposition, she returned to Guinea in June to finalize the deal with Lady T and two men, one Nigerian and one Guinean, who provided the cocaine to her.
“We all traveled together in their vehicle, and I paid US$14,000 for the four plastic bags of cocaine. I then transported it to Liberia with the intention of further transporting it to Holland, Europe,” explained suspect Williams.
The seized cocaine, valued at approximately US$ 102,600 on the black market, was tested and confirmed by the LDEA laboratory.
The agency emphasized that cocaine trafficking is a serious offense under Liberian law, specifically under the amended penal law and the Drugs and Controlled Substances Act of 2023.
In light of the evidence presented, including the physical seizure of the narcotics and Ms. Williams’ admission to the charges, the LDEA proceeded to charge her with multiple offenses.
These include unlicensed sales, delivery, distribution, transportation, possession, and illicit trafficking of controlled substances.
As Williams awaits further legal proceedings, her case serves as a stern warning to those involved or contemplating involvement in the illicit drug trade.
