Africa-Press – Liberia. The Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has appointed a new director for the Liberian Drug Enforcement Agency, indicating his intention to “intensify” the fight against drug trafficking following the largest drug seizure in the history of this West African nation.
According to a statement from the presidency, retired General Daniel D. Ziyankan, who previously served as Chief of Staff of the Army, Minister of Defense, and military advisor to the president, has been appointed as the new director general of the Drug Enforcement Agency.
The statement reads: “This announcement reaffirms the presidency’s commitment to intensifying the fight against drug trafficking and elevating it to a higher level.” The appointment still requires Senate confirmation, but in the meantime, the new director has begun his duties immediately.
This announcement follows a security meeting that focused on recent seizures, including the largest seizure in the country’s history: nearly four tons of cocaine, valued at over $317 million, confiscated during an operation on a road leading to Roberts International Airport, about 30 kilometers from the capital Monrovia.
On June 7, 237.6 kilograms of cocaine, valued at $19 million, were seized at Roberts Airport, hidden as a regular commercial shipment intended for export.
Since these seizures and the subsequent scandal, Liberians have expressed their anger, demanding stricter oversight of officials and police officers involved in drug enforcement. The president has stated his “determination to dismantle drug trafficking networks” in the country.
This new appointment comes after an investigative report from the Ministry of Justice and the permanent suspension of the former head of the Drug Enforcement Agency, Fitzgerald Biago.
The ministry announced that it found no evidence linking Biago to drug trafficking, but its report indicated “ethical issues that warrant further investigation to determine whether additional actions should be taken.”
The Liberian president also appointed Precious Ro as deputy director general of operations and Amir Mulbah as deputy director general of administrative affairs at the Drug Enforcement Agency, both of whom require Senate confirmation.
In late July, President Boakai dismissed twelve government officials and ordered investigations into some of them following these significant drug seizures.
