“How can Liberia win the fight against drugs if those leading the battle are accused of protecting the very trade they’re meant to stop?”

In a devastating blow to Liberia’s fight against a devastating drug epidemic, a leaked audio recording has exposed the Chief of Operations of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Abraham Okai Payne, allegedly pressuring a junior officer to release detained drug users and dealers—including his own daughter—caught with narcotics .

This revelation strikes at the heart of a national crisis, raising grave doubts about the integrity of those tasked with combating drug trafficking and abuse. It exposes a culture of impunity and corruption that many fear is undermining Liberia’s already fragile response.

—

The Leaked Audio: A Case of Unchecked Power

The leaked audio, first obtained by Verity Online News, captures a tense confrontation between Chief Payne and a subordinate. In it, Payne is heard insisting that his daughter and others arrested in a drug den in Monrovia be immediately released, directly contravening the country’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2023, which mandates strict detention for such offenses .

This act was passed as a robust legislative tool to empower the LDEA. Yet, this audio suggests that senior officials may be themselves the biggest obstacle to its enforcement. Critics argue that such actions “undermine the integrity of the LDEA and weaken public trust” in the government’s commitment to tackling drug-related crimes .

A Pattern of Corruption, Not an Isolated Incident

This incident is not an anomaly but part of a deep-rooted pattern of misconduct within the LDEA. Just months earlier, in March 2025, Deputy Director for Operations Sebastian Farr sent a formal letter to Director General Anthony K. Souh detailing serious allegations against Payne and another senior officer, Aaron Karzon .

Farr accused them of:

· Conducting unauthorized and dangerous raids that put junior officers at risk.
· Extorting suspects by confiscating personal items like money and phones without documentation.
· Using unregistered semi-automatic pistols in violation of use-of-force protocols.
· Attempting to bribe Farr with $40,000 after a seizure operation .

Furthermore, a similar scandal rocked the LDEA’s Bong County detachment, where a leaked audio captured Commander Joseph Gorkor and his deputies not only warning drug dealers to relocate to avoid raids but also negotiating a $150,000 “farewell treat” payment from them for protection . In a familiar pattern, the officers involved were merely replaced without any apparent punishment , reinforcing a perception of systemic impunity.

Liberia’s Devastating Drug Crisis: The Backdrop

The corruption within the LDEA is especially alarming given the unprecedented scale of Liberia’s drug crisis.

· National Emergency: In April 2024, President Joseph Boakai was forced to declare drug abuse a national emergency .
· Public Health Epidemic: A LDEA report from February 2024 estimated that a staggering one million of Liberia’s five million citizens are addicted to illicit substances .
· Kush: The Killer Drug: The crisis is fueled by the spread of Kush, a lethal synthetic drug. Testing shows it is often composed of nitazenes—synthetic opioids up to 25 times stronger than fentanyl—and synthetic cannabinoids . The health impact has been catastrophic, overwhelming mortuaries and leading to emergency cremations .
· Social Breakdown: The Ministry of Health reported in 2023 that over 35% of mental health cases in urban clinics involve youth with substance abuse histories, and drug addiction is the leading cause of admissions to Liberia’s main psychiatric hospital .

Citizen Outrage and Government Response

Frustrated by the escalating crisis, Liberians are taking to the streets. On August 7, 2025, thousands defied heavy rain to march in a “Say No to Drugs” protest in Monrovia, demanding urgent government action .

President Boakai has responded with promises of reform. Just a day before the march, he unveiled a new Anti-Drug Action Plan, proclaiming that “the era of impunity for drug traffickers is over” . The plan includes measures for mandatory performance evaluations for LDEA commanders, expedited drug prosecutions, and expanded rehabilitation services .

However, for many citizens, these promises ring hollow in the face of recurring high-level corruption. The alleged actions of officials like Payne create a demoralizing dichotomy: while ordinary citizens march against drugs and addicts suffer, those in power appear to be playing by a different set of rules.

A Deeper Problem: Institutional Turmoil and International Concern

The LDEA’s internal struggles predate the current leadership. The agency was previously rocked by a violent clash between former Director General Abraham Kromah and his deputy, Hassan Fadiga, with each accusing the other of shielding drug lords and ethnic favoritism . The rift was so severe it led to the withdrawal of international support from key partners like the U.S. Department of State and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime .

This context of perpetual instability suggests that the problem is not just a few “bad apples” but potentially a deep-seated institutional crisis that will require more than just a new action plan to fix.

The Way Forward: Demands for Accountability and a Holistic Approach

For Liberia to have any chance of winning its war on drugs, a fundamental shift is needed:

1. Root-and-Branch Reform: The LDEA requires a complete overhaul of its leadership and internal oversight mechanisms. Officers accused of corruption must face independent investigation and prosecution, not just reassignment .
2. Beyond Punishment: While law enforcement is crucial, the government must address the root causes of drug abuse, as critics note the 2023 Act focuses too heavily on criminalization while overlooking public health, harm reduction, and youth unemployment .
3. Investment in Recovery: Liberia has fewer than five functional rehabilitation centers . A significant portion of the anti-drug budget must be directed toward building and funding accessible treatment and reintegration programs.
4. International Cooperation: The Kush crisis is a regional West African problem . Liberia must strengthen collaboration with neighbors and international agencies to disrupt the supply chains bringing synthetic drug precursors from China and Europe .

The leaked audio featuring Abraham Okai Payne is more than just a political scandal; it is a symptom of a disease rotting the very core of Liberia’s anti-drug efforts. It reveals a chilling betrayal of duty that protects the powerful at the expense of the nation’s youth.

President Boakai’s declaration that “Liberia will not lose another generation to drugs, not on my watch”  will remain an empty slogan unless it is backed by the relentless and impartial pursuit of justice—starting from within the very agencies designed to protect the people.