[By: Pewu Y. Sumo]
Monrovia — The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has officially moved to prosecute popular Liberian hip-hop artist Karwordou Cole, widely known as “Bucky Raw,” following his arrest in connection with the discovery of suspected narcotics at his residence.
The musician was on Monday, December 15, taken to court over charges of Illegal Possession of Narcotics, a crime classified as non-bailable under Liberia’s current drug laws. This legal action follows a high-profile raid conducted by LDEA officers at Bucky Raw’s Duport Road home, an incident that gained immediate traction on social media after officers of the agency livestreamed the raiding exercise.
The Allegations and Seizure
According to a formal statement released by the LDEA, the operation was executed under a court-sanctioned search and seizure warrant as part of the agency’s ongoing nationwide “Clean Wave” campaign targeting drug trafficking and related offenses.
The LDEA claims that during the search, officers confiscated 31.6 grams of suspected marijuana. Bucky Raw, along with other individuals found at the premises, was subsequently detained and placed under investigation.
Conflicting Reports and Official Clarification
The case has been marked by confusion following conflicting reports regarding the artist’s custodial status. While rumors quickly circulated online claiming Bucky Raw had been released, the LDEA was compelled to issue a public clarification, refuting the claims of his release and confirming he remains in custody and under active investigation due to the non-bailable nature of the alleged offense.
The musician, in a statement released on social media amidst the reports, vehemently denied all allegations of involvement in illegal drug activity. He described the narratives as “false, intentionally misleading,” and a deliberate attempt by individuals to undermine him and disrupt his planned musical event that was scheduled for the same day of the arrest.
Despite his public denial, the LDEA’s decision to present the suspect before the court signifies the formal start of the legal process, placing the burden on the prosecution to present evidence of the alleged drug possession.
“The agency clarified that these reports are false and emphasized that the musician remains under active investigation… Liberia’s drug laws classify all drug related offenses as non-bailable, making release at this stage impossible.” — Statement from the LDEA is courted as saying.
The case has drawn heightened public and media attention, focusing a spotlight on the LDEA’s operations and the government’s renewed fight against substance abuse, which has been described by officials as a national crisis. The proceedings are expected to unfold in the coming days as the court determines the merit of the evidence presented.
In a related development, the LDEA has announced administrative action against one of its agents, Ayouba Kromah for a controversial post following the arrest of Bucky Raw last week.
About the Author
