By Ernest Kpehe Moibah | Bomi County Correspondent
About 400 pieces of illegal bush-meat have been confiscated in Western Liberia by the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) with one suspect, a commercial driver in Timba Town, Gbarpolu County arrested.
The arrested, made on January 7, 2026 in Timba Town, Gbarpolu County is the second wildlife crime committed in Western Liberia this week. On January 5, 2026, five persons were arrested for killing, selling and eating Elephant in Sando Village, Gbarpolu County.
Authorities say the dramatic interception of the bush-meat occurred on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, during the regular inspection of the joint security at which time FDA officers discovered the bush meat in a taxi traveling towards Monrovia. The taxi driver was immediately arrested and the consignment offloaded.
Speaking to the Rural Reporter News Network, Gola National Park Chief Park Ranger, Oliver Gibson, described the seizure as a major breakthrough in protecting endangered species.
“This operation sends a clear message that Liberia’s protected wildlife is not for sale,” Gibson stated.
According to the FDA, the confiscated meat includes species classified as protected animals under the Liberian wildlife law. The endangered species discovered among the bush-meat are, Jentink’s Duiker, Water Chevrotain, Chimpanzee, Red Colobus Monkey and other wildlife species, sad the Chief Park Ranger.
The suspect, identified as Jubralaer Keita, has been formally charged with illegal possession and transportation of protected animals. He is currently being held at the Gbarma District Police Station, pending transfer to the Gbarma Magistrate Court for prosecution.
The FDA says the action forms part of its sustained enforcement operations aimed at dismantling the bush-meat supply chain.
Despite the charges, Keita maintains he was unaware of the violations, claiming the meat was handed to him by an unidentified individual. He pledged to assist investigators in finding the main culprits during questioning.
“I didn’t know it was against the law. The meat was given to me, but I will take the rangers to the real owner,” Keita lamented.
The suspect, visibly shaken by the arrest, pleaded for leniency and promised never to participate in wildlife transport again.
