Executive Summary
- Artist Bucky Raw was arrested by the LDEA at his Monrovia home early Friday.
- Video footage showed the seizure of large amounts of cash and suspected marijuana.
- Cole, deported from the US in 2018, has recently been a vocal anti-drug advocate.
MONROVIA — Popular Liberian Hipco and Trapco artist Karwoudou Cole, professionally known as Bucky Raw, was taken into custody early Friday morning following a raid by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) at his Duport Road residence, where agents reportedly uncovered significant amounts of cash and suspected illicit drugs.
Video footage broadcast via Facebook Live documented the LDEA officers entering the musician’s compound at dawn. The footage depicts a chaotic scene in which Cole and other individuals inside the residence exchanged profanities with law enforcement. According to the video evidence, occupants initially attempted to bar the agents from entering, accusing the officers of being intoxicated and operating without legitimate cause.
Subsequent scenes in the video show Cole kneeling on the floor, opening black plastic bags filled with large sums of currency under the supervision of LDEA agents. Officers also displayed a bag containing a substance suspected to be marijuana, although authorities have not yet confirmed the specific nature or quantity of the seized material. The artist and several associates found at the location were immediately detained for further questioning.
This incident marks a complex turn for Cole, who was deported from the United States in April 2018 following legal violations. Since returning to Liberia, he has revitalized his music career and cultivated an image as a vocal critic of the nation’s drug crisis, frequently leading and participating in anti-drug demonstrations in Monrovia.
Investigative Outlook
The arrest of a high-profile figure known for anti-drug advocacy presents a significant test for the LDEA’s enforcement strategy and public credibility. The trajectory of this case will likely depend heavily on the forensic analysis of the suspected narcotics and the ability of investigators to trace the origin of the seized currency. This operation underscores the intensifying efforts by Liberian authorities to crack down on alleged narcotics distribution networks. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
