By Precious D. Freeman
The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) was honoured to welcome a high-level delegation from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (U.S. DEA).
The visiting team, led by U.S. DEA Attaché Christiana A. Olagbiaye, included Diversion Specialist Donnie West, Divine Ahlivia, and Luis F. Diaz, a representative from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The purpose of the visit was to deepen understanding of the LDEA’s operations, identify key challenges, and explore opportunities for greater collaboration and coordination between the two agencies.
The delegation was received by LDEA Director General Anthony Souh, along with senior officials including Director for Administration Gwee Forkpah and Director for Operations Sabastine Farr.
During their visit, the guests were given a guided tour of the agency’s major operational units, including the crime laboratory, prevention and rehabilitation departments, and the holding cells.
Crime lab technicians demonstrated the agency’s capabilities by showcasing various drug detection kits, substance samples, and other technical resources—many of which were donated to the LDEA to bolster its enforcement efforts.
Director General Souh expressed gratitude for the visit, describing it as a significant step toward reinforcing international partnerships in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
“This visit marks a pivotal moment in the LDEA’s commitment to strengthening ties with our international counterparts,” Souh said. “We believe that sustained cooperation with the U.S. DEA and other global institutions is vital to improving our operational efficiency and enhancing our institutional development.”
The visit concluded with discussions focused on future training opportunities, intelligence sharing, and technical support, all aimed at advancing Liberia’s capacity to combat drug-related crimes more effectively.
