By Josephine Sesay

Two young men a 26-year-old Liberian and a 23-year-old Sierra Leonean have been arrested in connection with a major cross-border drug trafficking case involving one kilogram of Kush, a highly dangerous synthetic drug. The consignment is estimated to be worth approximately US$20,000 (LD$3.8 million).

The suspects, identified as Joseph Barclay of Liberia and David Kalokoh of Sierra Leone, were apprehended by officers of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) on Saturday, July 6, 2025, at around 2:30 PM. The arrest occurred at the Bo Waterside Port of Entry, a key border checkpoint between Liberia and Sierra Leone.

According to authorities, the illicit substance was found concealed inside a black Wrangler Jeep that was being towed due to a reported mechanical failure. The suspicious condition of the vehicle raised red flags, prompting LDEA officers to conduct a thorough search which led to the discovery of the drugs.

Following their arrest, both men were interrogated and formally charged. They have since been remanded to the Tienii Magisterial Court in Grand Cape Mount County, where they are expected to face prosecution under Liberia’s narcotics laws.

In a public statement, the LDEA Grand Cape Mount County Unit reaffirmed its commitment to combating drug trafficking and dismantling networks involved in the distribution of illicit substances. The agency also called on citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity. Tip-offs can be shared anonymously through the LDEA’s confidential hotline at 0777-133-333.

This latest arrest underscores the growing threat of synthetic drugs like Kush, which have wreaked havoc on youth populations across West Africa. Authorities in both Liberia and Sierra Leone continue to face mounting pressure to crack down on the trafficking and abuse of such substances, which have become a regional public health crisis.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday,11th July, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)