– Attack homes in Gbandi Town After Ghetto Raid
By Jerromie S. Walters
CALDWELL, LIBERIA – A coordinated security operation aimed at dismantling a notorious drug den in Caldwell has backfired, leaving residents of Gbandi Town and Kabba Town terrorized by violent retaliation from suspects who were later released from police custody. The situation began on Monday, August 25, 2025, when a joint force comprising officers from the Liberia National Police (LNP), the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), and empowered residents launched a mass raid on a strategically located drug haven.
The target was a train track right-of-way that serves as the boundary between Gbandi Town and Caba Town, an area that had long been a breeding ground for illicit activity and a persistent source of fear for the community dwellers who live in its shadow. The operation was initially deemed a success by residents, who had collaborated with authorities in a courageous effort to reclaim their neighborhoods. In total, 24 individuals were apprehended during the raid and taken into custody by law enforcement officials.
The majority (19) of those arrested were later released. Community leaders report that 19 of the 24 detained individuals were set free, a decision allegedly made on the premise that the drug users are themselves “victims” of addiction who require rehabilitation rather than incarceration. To the astonishment of the residents, the released individuals regrouped and returned to their communities on Tuesday afternoon, August 26.
Armed with stones, the group launched a coordinated attack on the homes of those who had participated in the previous day’s raid, specifically targeting the roofs of their dwellings in a violent act of intimidation.
Jancubah A. Konneh, a community dweller who has since joined others to end the drug trade in the community home was also attacked. “We turned over 24 men and the police released 19. Those 19 guys came this afternoon and started stoning the community, all on the roofs of those who were involved in apprehending them,” he stated.
He further noted, “This is the threat we are under. We don’t know under what conditions the police released them and now our lives are in threat so this is an urgent and serious call. We need your help. We raid this area thinking that it could be safe for us but releasing them with them coming back in the community, it’s a serious threat to our lives and our people.”
Hours after the attacks, officers from the Liberia National Police responded and managed to restore a tenuous calm. However, this response has done little to assuage the deep-seated fears of residents, who rightly question how long this peace will last and what will prevent the cycle from repeating itself.
The Raid:
Monday’s raid led to the arrest of several individuals accused of both using and dealing narcotics. For more than a year, residents said the train track area had been transformed into a fortified ghetto, effectively becoming a no-go zone for the general public, especially after dark. The community recounted that the group initially operated from a location famously known as “Tinted” at Orange, before being displaced by a joint effort from residents and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), which forced their relocation to the train track.
According to local accounts, the area subsequently evolved into a bustling hub of illicit nighttime activity. “It will interest you to know that at night you will see people selling foodstuffs and other things on that track,” explained Jancubah A. Konneh, a resident. “You don’t have access to that track as long as you are not part of them.” Drug vendors operated with impunity, openly displaying their contraband and fostering a market that was both brazen and intimidating to outsiders.
This environment bred a pervasive sense of insecurity, ultimately compelling the community to take drastic action. Konneh described a palpable atmosphere of threat, stating, “That route, at 6:00 PM you yourself won’t want to pass there because you will see a group of men and once you are not part of them you won’t pass there.” Recent studies indicate that 20% of young people—approximately two in every ten—are now using narcotics.
The situation intensified throughout 2024–2025, a period during which the LDEA confiscated 9,651.23 kilograms of illegal substances valued at over $4.9 million (LRD 949 million) in nationwide operations.
In the aftermath of the operation, the detained individuals were taken to the Zone 7 Police Station, though 19 were later released. This citizen-led action comes despite a recent warning from the LDEA, which last week cautioned the public against organizing unsanctioned raids on suspected drug dealers and users.
The agency stated that such initiatives risk escalating violence, violating human rights, and undermining legal due process. The LDEA’s advisory, released on Tuesday, was issued in response to a growing trend of citizen arrests and raids. This reflects mounting public frustration over the proliferation of illicit drugs and the entrenched communities—known as “ghettos”—that harbor users and dealers, often referred to as “Zogos.”
In its statement, the LDEA acknowledged and appreciated the rising civilian support for its mission but strongly emphasized that all anti-drug operations must be led or coordinated by its trained officers to ensure safety and legality.
