GANTA, Nimba – Police in Ganta have launched a raid on petty criminals known as ‘zogos’.

According to the Chief of Operation for the Liberia National Police’s Ganta branch, Ferru Kamara, many of these criminals are now seeking refuge in Ganta after similar operations were conducted to clear them off the streets of Monrovia.

Police have launched raids against these petty criminals around Monrovia, where they often serve as car loaders to fund their use of illegal narcotics. Commuters often complain that these individuals steal from unsuspecting travelers.

Speaking to reporters in Ganta last week, Kamara said the police was targeting ghettos and communities that are used as hideouts.

“These few days, there have been raids going on in Monrovia to get these guys off the streets,” he said. “Those guys [the police] are getting off the streets are leaving Monrovia and coming to Ganta to find their way through, but we can promise them that security in Ganta is tight… We will not give them chance. We will be on their back foot-to-foot to make sure that they leave from Ganta.”

Kamara declined to say the number of persons that the raid had collected so far but said they were in police custody, pending investigations, charges, and court actions.

“We got many of them now in the cell,” he said. “I cannot tell you how many of them we have, but, those that are there, we are going to investigate them, charge them and forward them to the court.”

Kamara said the police would charge those rounded up with crimes such as illegal possession of narcotic drugs, loitering, and theft of property.

He assured residents of Ganta and surrounding areas that the police would apply all efforts to keep Ganta safe of criminals.

“Our only problem is that we are not mobile,” he added. “But we can assure you that we are going to try our best to make Ganta crime free.”

Meanwhile, Kamara has called on citizens to assist the police by reporting cases of suspicious behaviors within their communities. He promised that the identities of tipsters would be protected.

Featured photo by Arrington Ballah