KAKATA, Margibi – Margibi’s Superintendent John Buway has expressed disappointment in the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency for what he says is the agency’s failure to carry out its statutory mandate in curbing drug-related crimes within his county.

Buway noted that small communities were proliferating in towns such as Kakata, Weala, Harbel, and Cotton Tree, where illicit substances are being visibly sold.

“Go to most liquor shops around here, they sell ‘kanyan’ and place a lot of illicit substances in those things and there are lots of ghettos and our school children play with those drugs on a daily basis,” he said, referencing the popular cassava-based dessert.

Buway said the LDEA unit based in his county was “doing practically nothing” to curb the use of illegal drugs.

He cautioned that if nothing is done to arrest the situation; it would endanger the future of the youth, who are the majority of drug abusers in the county.

“If our kids will now try to play with illicit substances like heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, it’s going to damage them; and there would be no one to replace us,” Buway said.

When contacted, LDEA’s officer in charge of Margibi, Major Ralph Gooding, confirmed Buway’s concern but said the agency has inadequate manpower and lacks proper logistics, which is hampering his team’s operations in the county.

He said while units in other counties had received some support to enhance their capacity to fight drug-related crimes, the Margibi detachment is still waiting for assistance.

Featured photo by Emmanuel Degleh