By: Jerromie S. Walters
The Liberia immigration Service (LIS) has arrested a Guinean who’s identified as Siaka Fofana, with thirteen pieces of single barrel gun, along with a biometric voter registration card.
At a news conference on Thursday, September 21, 2023, Col. Robert Budy disclosed that Siaka Fofana was apprehended at the Lofa port of entry, on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.
“13 single barrel pistols that are believed to be made in the Republic of Guinea that were arrested yesterday at the Lofa Port of Entry. The weapons were found with Siaka Fofana, he’s a Guinean.”
He added “He brought in these weapons yesterday through the main border, and while they conducting search, these weapons were found.”
As revealed by the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) Boss, Siaka Fofana said weapons were given to him by a friend.
“According to him, these weapons were given to him by a friend. To my surprise, while he was searched, we found this biometric voter registration cards with him.
He continued, “He said he came when he heard that we were doing the voter registration, he took advantage of that, he came to Liberia and he did his voter registration, but he’s a Guinea citizen.”
Meanwhile, the Liberia Immigration Service has turned over the matter to the Liberia National Police for further investigation.
“We can’t go further but the investigation will continue with the police, and then there will be subsequent prosecution, but we don’t know who all are linked.”
Also on Tuesday, September 21, 2023, boxes of illicit substances were unboxed at the Roberts International Airport, following suspicions and skepticism.
Recently, Mr. Samuel Freeman, the Director of Security at the Roberts International Airport (RIA), was placed on indefinite suspension, pending the outcome of an investigation into his alleged role in the smuggling of cargo from the tarmac through an unauthorized gate.
The personnel action form indicates that Freeman’s action contravenes Section 4 of the Human Resource/RIA Handbook.
On Monday, local media house reported Freeman’s involvement into the removal and escort of several suspicious boxes from the airside. The boxes were placed into a bus which was intercepted by Armed Forces of Liberia stationed at the airport.
According to reports, Freeman had initially stated that the goods belonged to Ms. Nora Finda Bundo, the President’s Chief Protocol Officer, but later denied saying such.
On Tuesday, the boxes that were placed in the custody of Customs were unboxed and their contents were said to be moringa tea.
However, further test conducted using test kits provided by the United Nations Office on Drugs Crime established that the consignment were methamphetamine, also known as meth. Methamphetamine, commonly known as Meth, is a synthetic stimulant with a high potential for addiction.
It is sought after for its ability to induce euphoria, often described as a feeling of well-being, which can endure for up to 24 hours. Methamphetamine is readily accessible and affordable, particularly to adolescents, due to its relatively low production cost.
This substance can be administered through various methods, including injection, smoking, snorting, or oral ingestion. Injecting or smoking Methamphetamine results in an immediate and intense rush of its effects.
In contrast, the euphoric sensation from snorting or oral ingestion is less intense and requires more time to manifest, taking approximately 3 to 5 minutes for snorting and 15 to 20 minutes for oral consumption.
In an interview with reporters on Monday, Freeman denied any wrongdoing.
