16/12/2025
๐ฃ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐ฆ ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ง
๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ๐
๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ง ๐๐ฌ ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ง๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ช (๐๐๐ ๐๐๐)
๐ข๐ก ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐ง ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐ฅ๐ช๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐จ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐จ๐๐๐ฌ ๐ฅ๐๐ช ๐๐ฌ ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐๐
The Campaigners for the Implementation of the Amended Drugs Law (CAMIAD) has followed with keen interest the recent arrest of Liberian musician Bucky Raw by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) for being in possession of 31.6 grams of ma*****na, a substance classified as illegal under the Controlled Drug and Substance Act of 2023.
As a movement committed to the full, fair, and impartial implementation of the amended drug law, we like to recognize and applaud some progress made by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency-Ldea in the fight against drugs in Liberia and we wish to state that the law must be respected and enforced without fear or favor, regardless of status, profession, or public image. The amended law clearly criminalizes the use and possession of controlled drugs, and we acknowledge this legal position.
Specifically, the Act criminalizes the use of a controlled drug or substance without lawful authorization, making such conduct an offense under Liberian law. In this regard, no individual is above the law, and compliance remains a shared national responsibility.
๐๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ป ๐จ๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด
However, the same law also provides for a graduation of offenses, recognizing distinctions among users, possessors, dealers, and traffickers. Where quantities are involved, the law contemplates that context, intent, and supporting evidence are essential in determining the appropriate classification of an alleged offense. Accordingly, any assessment of whether a case relates to personal use or trafficking must be guided strictly by evidence and determined through due judicial process.
Our advocacy has consistently highlighted that some individuals found in possession of controlled substances may be affected by addiction, social vulnerability, or systemic challenges, and should not automatically be equated with traffickers or major offenders. In cases involving possession for use purposes, modern drug-control approaches encourage careful consideration of the surrounding circumstances, with an emphasis on rehabilitation and treatment where appropriate.
๐ข๐ป ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐น ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฃ๐๐ฏ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ ๐ ๐ถ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐
CAMIAD emphasizes that no conclusion should be drawn at the pre-trial stage regarding the nature or gravity of the alleged offense. The classification of the conduct, the intent involved, and any corresponding legal consequences remain matters solely within the authority of the court, based on evidence presented.
CAMIAD is compelled to clarify that not all offenses under the Controlled Drug and Substance Act are non-bailable. The law clearly distinguishes between degrees of offenses, and bailability depends on the nature and severity of the charge, particularly whether the offense involves trafficking, importation, or aggravated circumstances.
Any blanket assertion that all drug-related offenses are non-bailable is legally inaccurate and misleading, and risks undermining public confidence in the justice system.
๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป ๐ข๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฃ๐๐ฏ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐๐บ๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ป๐ป๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ
We are deeply concerned about the public display and media circulation of suspects while in custody, particularly at the pre-trial stage. Such actions risk violating the fundamental principle of presumption of innocence, a cornerstone of Liberiaโs justice system.
Publicly parading suspects especially in cases involving alleged possession creates a perception of guilt before trial, undermines human dignity, and may amount to selective exposure. This concern is further heightened by the fact that individuals arrested for large-scale drug trafficking are often neither publicly displayed nor consistently accounted for after arrest, raising legitimate questions about equality in enforcement.
Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done fairly and consistently.
๐ข๐ป ๐๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฝ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐น๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ก๐ฒ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐
CAMIAD has taken note of public speculation suggesting that this arrest may have been intended to disrupt a major musical event involving the artist. While such views exist in the public space, we do not endorse speculation or conspiracy theories.
However, we state unequivocally that the LDEA must never be used as an instrument for witch-hunting, intimidation, or personal vendetta. Any such misuse, if established, would severely undermine the credibility of the national fight against drugs.
We sincerely hope and expect that this matter is professionally handled, grounded strictly in intelligence-led, lawful, and impartial enforcement.
๐ข๐๐ฟ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐๐ผ ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
CAMIAD therefore calls on:
1. The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) to intensify its focus on drug importers, traffickers, and kingpins, who pose the greatest threat to national security and public health.
2. The justice system to apply the law proportionately, impartially, and humanely.
3. Policy actors and stakeholders to strengthen pathways for rehabilitation and treatment for persons affected by drug use.
4. The public and media to respect due process and refrain from trial by media.
The fight against drugs in Liberia must be firm but fair, strong but just, and law-driven not personality-driven.
Issued on: 16 December 2025
Signed:
Amb Christina Maka Togba
Secretary General
CAMIAD
Approved:
Amb Steve Dahn
National Chairman
CAMIAD
