PAYNESVILLE – The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) on Friday, December 12, 2025, carried out an early-morning operation at the Paynesville residence of Liberian hip-hop artist Karwordou Cole, popularly known as Bucky Raw, leading to his arrest just hours before a highly anticipated concert. The raid formed part of the agency’s ongoing nationwide anti-drug campaign, “Clean Wave.”
According to the LDEA, officers executed a court-approved search and seizure warrant at approximately 7:00 AM at the musician’s Duport Road home. During the search, officers arrested Bucky Raw along with several other individuals and confiscated 31.6 grams of marijuana. The agency indicated that all suspects are under investigation and will be forwarded for court proceedings. Under Liberia’s stringent drug laws, narcotics-related offenses are non-bailable.
The operation drew immediate public attention, especially after conflicting reports circulated on social media. The LDEA, however, maintained that the search was lawful and part of ongoing efforts to crack down on drug trafficking across the country. The agency encouraged citizens to continue reporting suspicious activities through its official hotlines as “Clean Wave” intensifies.
During questioning, Bucky Raw admitted to officers that the substances found in his home were for personal use, not distribution. “I’m an entertainer. Sometimes when I’m recording, I take my little drag to get inspired. I don’t have any substance here, and if you found something, it’s for personal use,” he stated during the onsite interrogation.
LDEA officers disclosed that the search team initially encountered resistance when attempting to enter the property but later gained access and recovered quantities of marijuana and American-grade cannabis, commonly known locally as “loud.” The agency has not yet confirmed whether the discoveries will culminate in formal charges.
The artist also accused LDEA officers of removing L$60,000 from a small cross bag during the search, an allegation that the agency has not publicly addressed. The claim has sparked calls from some residents and supporters for an independent review of the operation, alongside demands for accountability from both sides.
Meanwhile, former LDEA Deputy Director for Operations Hassan Fadiga weighed in on the incident, emphasizing the legal implications of the findings. He cited Liberia’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which criminalizes possession of narcotics without lawful authority. “A narcotic substance was discovered during the search of Bucky Raw’s dwelling, and he admitted to recreational use. It doesn’t matter whether the quantity was small. He broke the law,” Fadiga said.
He explained that while LDEA officers have discretionary authority to arrest, profile, or release a suspect, the presence of unlawful substances provides legal grounds for action. Fadiga further expressed concern over the discovery of a digital scale under a bed, describing it as a possible indicator of distribution rather than mere use. “What troubled me most during the search was discovering a scale under a bed. It is an indication that he is not only a consumer but might likely be selling,” he asserted.
Fadiga stressed that no individual is above the law, regardless of their public profile. He concluded that if evidence confirms that Bucky Raw was engaged in selling narcotics, he should face prosecution.
The LDEA has stated that investigations are ongoing, and further details will be released as the case progresses.
