LDEA Confiscates Tramadol, Kush, and Marijuana in Twin Operations as Four Men Arrested in River Gee

By: Ben T.C. Brooks |River Gee Correspondent

River Gee County | Dec. 8, 2025 | The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency – LDEA River Gee detachment has made an arrest of four male suspects in two separate anti-drug operations at the Kanweaken checkpoint and Podroken, Gbeapo Statutory district, River Gee County .

LDEA County Commander, Special Agent Bill M. Cooper Jr., told our reporter that the arrests took place on December 3, 2025 in Gbeapo District, following an intelligence-led checkpoint operation and a court-authorized search and seizure mission.

According to Commander Cooper, the first operation occurred on the evening of December 3, when officers assigned to the Gbeapo Kanweaken Security Checkpoint intercepted two young men traveling from Kanweaken toward nearby Sinoe County.

During the search, officers discovered, 20 strips of Tramadol, 5 plastic sachets of Tramadol tablets and an unspecified quantity of “Kush,” a potent synthetic drug increasingly common in Liberia

He said the confiscated drugs carry an estimated street value of LRD$165,000.

The two suspects identified as Dennis D. Toe, 18 and Aaron P. Toe, 19 both are residents of Gbeapo Kanweaken and are reportedly students. However, authorities have not yet confirmed whether the two young men are related.

The pair was immediately taken into custody and transferred to the LDEA’s Charge of Quarters in Fish-Town for further investigation and interrogation.

Commander Cooper stated that the youths are cooperating with investigators as the probe continues.

Earlier the same day, LDEA officers, supported by a Sheriff assigned to the Gbeapo Kanweaken Magisterial Court, executed a search and seizure warrant in the nearby town of Gbeapo Podroken where two coordinated operations also led to the arrest of two additional suspects

Pastal Williams, 52, were found in possession of 233.1 grams of marijuana seeds, estimated at over 3,000 seeds while Koffi Swen, 62, arrested with 87 grams of processed, locally manufactured marijuana

Authorities noted that while the exact street value of the marijuana seeds is still being assessed, both seizures are considered significant within the local drug trade.

However, all four suspects are currently detained pending the completion of formal investigations.

The LDEA confirmed that the cases will be forwarded to the Fish Town Magisterial court for prosecution in the coming days.

Commander Cooper emphasized that the LDEA remains committed to reducing the flow of dangerous substances into the southeastern region.

He highlighted the strategic importance of checkpoints like Kanweaken, which serve as critical gateways for preventing narcotics from entering River Gee and surrounding counties.

He further stressed the need for ongoing community cooperation, timely intelligence sharing, and inter-agency coordination, which he described as vital pillars in Liberia’s nationwide fight against drug trafficking.

“The success of these operations shows what can be achieved when our communities and law enforcement work together,” Cooper said.