Monrovia, Aug. 28 -- President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has dismissed three top officials of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) and appointed an interim management team made up of security professionals to strengthen the country's response to its worsening drug crisis.

Those removed include Anthony K. Souh, Director General; Gwee K. Porkpah, Deputy Director General for Administration; and Sebastian Farr, Deputy Director General for Operations.

According to a statement from the Executive Mansion issued Thursday, August 28, the dismissals are part of ongoing efforts to revamp the LDEA and restore public confidence in its operations, amid a surge in illicit drug trafficking and abuse-particularly the spread of synthetic substances ...