Inspect GoL vehicles, ambulances for drugs

The head for the National Traditional Council of Liberia is calling on the Liberia Immigration Service to inspect government vehicles, including ambulances at checkpoints across the country in the fight against trafficking of drugs and substances.

Chief Zanzan Karwar notes that public vehicles are being used by some unscrupulous individuals to transport drugs from one place to another in the country, because they are exempt from check.

He claims vehicles of cabinet ministers, security agencies, including police, immigration, NSA and NGOs, among others are involved in the practice.Chief Karwar made the allegation this week in Ganta, Nimba County at a three-day national conference for chiefs and elders from all 15 political subdivisions of the country.

Held under the auspices of Carter Center, USAID, and the Swedish government, the forum was intended for various ministries and agencies to explain the government’s “pro-poor agenda” to local leaders and what role they need to play to enable government achieves the policy.

The chief told the Commissioner of the Liberia Immigration Service Lamuel Reeves when all vehicles, including government assigned vehicles are thoroughly checked by security officers manning checkpoints, it would help in the trafficking dangerous drugs across the country.

He maintains that public vehicles are being used on a daily basis to transport drugs that are negatively affecting Liberian youth. “Our children are not in school again like before; they are fully involved with the use of drugs”, he laments.

During the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a police escort pickup in her convoy was arrested, while transporting narcotics.The driver of the vehicle was subsequently disrobed and sent to court.  In response, LIS boss Col. Reeves promised to consider the recommendation by Chief Zanzan Karwar.

By Thomas Domah/Nimba–Editing by Jonathan Browne