By Precious D. Freeman
The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has uncovered and dismantled a large marijuana plantation in the Kolahun Forest, arresting a key suspect in the process.
Acting on a court-issued writ of search and seizure, a specialized team led by the LDEA Lofa County Commander, in partnership with the Sheriff of the Kolahun Magistrate Court, launched a targeted operation at approximately 2:30 PM on Saturday, April 12.
The mission followed intelligence linking 38-year-old Janet Molay, a Liberian farmer from Kailahun Town, to illicit marijuana farming activities.
Upon arrival at the remote two-lot plantation site, agents discovered a fully operational marijuana farm. A total of 2,384 marijuana trees were found and destroyed, weighing roughly 51 kilograms. The haul carries an estimated street value of US$5,100 or LR$969,000.
The operation is a continuation of an investigation launched after a December 2024 arrest involving 169 kilograms of marijuana seeds.
Evidence from that case eventually led investigators to the Kolahun site and to suspect Molay.
She was arrested at the scene and is currently under investigation at the LDEA headquarters in Voinjama, where authorities are working to identify additional individuals possibly connected to the operation.
The LDEA reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling illegal drug networks across Liberia and encouraged public cooperation in reporting suspicious activities.
“Our mission is to ensure safe and drug-free communities,” the agency stated. “We will pursue all leads and hold accountable those who profit from narcotics at the expense of our society.”
Meanwhile, the LDEA, through its Nimba County Detachment, has also 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.
