Senior LDEA Official Heard In Audio Suspended For Allegedly Compromising The Anti-Drugs Fight
PHOTO: LDEA Chief of Operations, Abraham O. Payne said to be suspended for compromising the anti-drugs fight
By Our Staff Writer
In less than two years after coming to power and after declaring the rising narcotic drugs menace as a national emergency, the Unity Party government of President Joseph Nyuman Boakai’s anti-drugs fight continues to score own goal against itself, as the lead agency that should be driving the fight continues to be wrapped up in controversy.
The lead agency, Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA) appears to bedeviled with internal compromises which continue to hamper the fight against not only the trafficking but use and abuse of narcotic substances in this post-war country, which health authorities say has a 20% prevalence rate.
Back in mid last year, 2024, the fight against the upsurge in illicit drugs in the Liberian society has taken a blow with furious division within the top ranks of the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA), which recently led to the national police moving to its headquarters to bring a violent row under control.
LDEA head, Abraham Kromah and his two deputies have been at loggerheads for quite some time now, something President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has apparently got fed up with, suspending Director Kromah and his two deputies with immediate effect today, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. For “Acts Of Disorder And Chaos,” Pres. Boakai Suspends Top Brass Of LDEA – News Public Trust
Amid claims and counter claims of shielding rich drugs traffickers in Liberia, the former three top LDEA officials were eventually removed from office and replaced, though the true story behind the internal feud have not been made known to the Liberian public by the Presidency.
Now, a senior member of the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA) high command who was heard on an audio broadcast on radio allegedly ordering his subordinate to compromise a narcotic drugs case in Monrovia has been suspended.
Chief of Operations (U-704), Abraham Payne’s suspension was revealed today on the LDEA’s official Facebook page, after he was said to have ordered his subordinate officers who were investigation an illicit drugs case to release the suspect, who was said to be his daughter.
The Liberian government less than satisfactory handling of the anti-drugs fight is believed to have prompted the mass “say no to drugs” protest stage in Monrovia recently.
BELOW IS THE LDEA PRESS RELEASE
LDEA Suspends Chief of Operations Abraham O. Payne (U-704)
Monrovia, Liberia – August 26, 2025
The Director General of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Hon. Anthony K. Souh, has suspended Chief of Operations Abraham O. Payne (U-704), following the emergence of an audio recording allegedly implicating him instructing the release of his daughter who was reportedly arrested in a ghetto. In the recording,
Mr. Payne was allegedly heard ordering a junior officer to release his daughter immediately and further threatening the officer when he insisted on performing his duty.
The LDEA frowns upon such alleged actions which, if proven, undermine the integrity of the Agency and compromise the fight against illicit drugs.
As such, Mr. Payne has been immediately suspended and referred to the Board of Internal Inquiry and Professional Standards (BIIPS) for a thorough investigation.
The outcome of the investigation will be communicated to the public in due time.
The LDEA reiterates its zero-tolerance policy on unprofessional and unethical conduct and assures the public that no officer, regardless of position or rank is spared when caught in any unprofessional conduct.
SIGNED:
Public Relations