Brief History
The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) was established December 23, 1998 and remains a semi-autonomous agency under the supervisory authority of the Ministry of Justice within the Liberian Government. The LDEA has a functional structure, and is headed by a Director General, assisted by two deputies all of whom are appointed by the President. The Agency over sensitive role is to implement measures to protect the territorial borders of Liberia from the importation and exportation of drugs and controlled substances. The LDEA, which is “responsible for the efficient and effective law enforcement of all the provisions on any controlled drugs and substances,” is also the Secretariat and implementing arm of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Board. In principle, the Board's functions are broader than law enforcement as it is mandated to “formulate, develop and establish a comprehensive, integrated, unified and balanced national drug use prevention and control strategy.” As Secretariat, the LDEA is likely to press the Board to focus on enforcement and punitive approaches rather than public health.
Vision
To become most proactive and one of the leading Drug Law Enforcement Agency in West Africa and one of the best in the world through the provision of effective and efficient services to Liberians by cutting off supply of illicit drugs, reducing demand for illicit drugs and other substances of abuse, tracing and recovering drug related proceeds and contributing to the creation and maintenance of an enviable image of Liberia throughout the world.
Mission
The Drug Enforcement Agency shall disrupt, dismantle, and eliminate all threats posed to the Republic of Liberia by illicit drug trafficking and abuse. It shall deploy all resources at its disposal for a complete purge of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances; suppression of demand for illicit drugs and other substances of abuse; retrieval of ill-gotten wealth acquired from proceeds of illicit drug trade; protection, enhancement and maintenance of the image of Liberia and Liberians in the diaspora.