LDEA Gets Fifth Leadership in 30 Months

By Stephen G. Fellajuah

MONROVIA, Liberia, August 12, 2026 — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has named a new leadership team at the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), marking the fifth major leadership arrangement at the country’s frontline anti-narcotics agency since his administration took office in January 2024.

The latest shake-up brings Major General (Retired) Daniel Dee Ziankahn Jr. to the helm of the LDEA as Director General, replacing Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitzgerald T. M. Biago, who had been serving as Officer-in-Charge.

President Boakai also appointed Precious Rue as Deputy Director General for Operations and Prince Mulbah as Deputy Director General for Administration.

The three officials have been directed to assume their duties immediately in an acting capacity, pending confirmation by the Liberian Senate upon its return.

Ziankahn takes over an agency that has experienced repeated leadership changes over the past 30 months, amid growing national concern over illicit drug trafficking and several major cocaine seizures.

His appointment follows the suspension of Biago from the Liberia National Police on August 10 over alleged ethical transgressions connected to claims that he received a Toyota pickup vehicle from an individual allegedly associated with a drug-trafficking organization.

Biago had temporarily recused himself from his LDEA duties on August 8 after the allegations surfaced.

He denied wrongdoing, maintaining that he neither solicited nor knowingly accepted any vehicle, gift, benefit or inducement from a drug trafficker or anyone acting on behalf of a drug-trafficking organization.

Following his recusal, President Boakai ordered Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh to conduct an immediate investigation into the allegations and circumstances surrounding Biago’s decision to step aside.

The President subsequently suspended Biago indefinitely from the Liberia National Police after receiving the Ministry of Justice’s investigative report.

According to the Executive Mansion, the investigation did not establish Biago’s involvement in illegal narcotics trafficking but identified ethical concerns requiring further investigation.

Five Leadership Arrangements

The latest appointments continue a pattern of leadership changes at the LDEA since the Boakai administration assumed office.

The first major shake-up came in June 2024, when President Boakai suspended then-LDEA Director General Abraham S. Kromah and his deputies, Gbawou Kowou and Hassan Fadiga, amid concerns surrounding the agency’s operations.

Following their suspension, the President appointed Christopher S. Peters Sr. as Officer-in-Charge to oversee the agency on an interim basis.

Peters’ tenure was short-lived. He resigned in October 2024, prompting President Boakai to appoint Anthony K. Souh as Acting Director General.

Souh was subsequently nominated in November 2024 to serve as Director General. President Boakai later appointed Sebastian Farr as Deputy Director for Operations and Gwee K. Porkpah as Deputy Director for Administration, completing the senior management team.

That leadership remained in place until August 28, 2025, when President Boakai dismissed Souh, Farr and Porkpah from their respective positions for what the Executive Mansion described as administrative reasons.

The President then installed another interim management team headed by Biago as Officer-in-Charge, with Ernest T. Tarpeh serving as Deputy for Administration and Investigation and ACP Patrick B. Kormazu as Deputy for Operations.

That arrangement has now been replaced by the Ziankahn-led team.

Tarpeh, who served in the interim LDEA leadership, is expected to return to his previous assignment at the National Security Agency.

Changes Amid Major Drug Cases

The repeated leadership transitions come as Liberia confronts heightened concerns over international drug trafficking and the capacity of its security institutions to combat organized narcotics networks.

In recent months, Liberian security authorities have intensified anti-narcotics operations following major cocaine seizures that have triggered investigations into possible links between international traffickers and individuals within the country.

The developments have also placed increased pressure on the LDEA, which is responsible for leading Liberia’s fight against illicit drugs.

The frequency of changes at the top of the agency has raised questions about leadership stability and continuity in major investigations and enforcement operations.

President Boakai has repeatedly described illicit drugs as a serious threat to Liberia’s national security, public health and development.

The new Ziankahn-led administration is expected to take charge of the LDEA as the government pursues its declared zero-tolerance approach to drug trafficking, corruption and organized crime, while seeking stronger institutional coordination and enforcement.