In his resignation letter on October 10, 2024, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) Officer-in-charge Christopher Peters, Sr., did not state clear-cut why he was stepping aside from the post, but mentioned several issues that are probably stalling operations at the agency.
In his letter addressed to Minister of State Sylvester M. Grigsby, Peters asked the Minister to convey his humblest gratitude and thanks to His Excellency President Joseph N Boakai, for the opportunity to serve Liberia through the LDEA.
“Over the last four months as OIC of LDEA, we were able to lead a team of committed employees to seize drugs in the value of US$4 million and secured long imprisonment (10yrs, 7yrs, amongst others) for convicted drugs dealers and traffickers through the courts of Liberia, and began some institutional reforms, amidst the difficult constraints the Agency faces,” Peters said.
Above all, the LDEA OIC said, “we kept the Agency calmer, united and focused on Drugs/Narcotic Supply Reduction, while at the same time working with the National Steering Committee to achieve the goals of Drugs Demand Reduction (Prevention & Rehabilitation).”
According to him, the LDEA is understaffed and confronted with repeated low budgetary support, low salaries, and huge salary disparities, including lack of adequate training and logistics.
He said to win the war on Drugs, LDEA will need strategic reforms, training, employment of additional staffers, adequate budget, logistics, and support from key partners.
Peters said at the height of these, calm, not impulsive, mature professionals and a team building leadership will be required to move the agency to its noblest height.
“Haven’t said that Minister Grigsby, kindly inform His Excellency that I thank him again for the opportunity, but that I need to return to the employment held prior to my appointment as OlC,” he said. This resignation takes effect on October 31, 2024, and the LDEA OIC has dedicated himself to briefing whoever is nominated to the post so as to hit the ground running.
