Dismissed LDEA BOSS OR STAY? LDEA DEFENDS SILENCE ON $19M RIA COCAINE BUST: “NAMING SUSPECTS NOW WOULD COMPROMISE INVESTIGATION,” JOINT SECURITY TEAM SAYS
MONROVIA, June 13, 2026 – The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency has defended its decision to withhold the names of suspects in the $19 million cocaine seizure at Roberts International Airport, saying premature disclosure could jeopardize an ongoing joint national security investigation.
In a statement released late Saturday, LDEA acknowledged public pressure to release identities but argued that transparency must be balanced with operational security in a case now classified as a national security threat.
High profiles involve?
The National Security Council has elevated the June 8 seizure of 237.6 kilograms of cocaine to a Joint National Security Investigation.
LDEA and the Liberia National Police are coordinating the probe with support from the NSA, EPS, Financial Intelligence Agency, Immigration, Customs, Airport Security, and the Ministry of Justice.
Government officials said the case is being treated beyond a routine narcotics matter due to potential links to transnational organized crime and implications for aviation security, financial integrity, and Liberia’s international reputation.
Why Names Are Being Withheld?
LDEA said releasing identities of persons of interest, suspects, cooperating witnesses, or individuals under active investigation” could tip off additional suspects, lead to destruction of evidence, interfere with intelligence gathering, and endanger investigators and witnesses.
“Such actions could ultimately undermine efforts to dismantle the entire criminal enterprise behind this transnational trafficking operation,” the agency stated.
Suspect Identified, Manhunt Underway:
Investigators identified Emmanuel Zeon as the individual who delivered the consignment to RIA on June 5 for export via Brussels Airlines.
Zeon left the scene shortly after and is currently being sought by law enforcement but as our investigation, all this fake on the part of LDEA.
The Joint Security Team said it is pursuing leads on financiers, facilitators, logistical coordinators, and corrupt enablers both domestically and internationally.
Several individuals and institutions, including shipping agencies and airport personnel, are cooperating with investigators.
LDEA assured Liberians and international partners that no individual, regardless of position, status, influence, affiliation, or institutional connection, will be shielded from investigation.
Officials pledged that arrests, charges, and prosecutions will follow once sufficient evidence is gathered.
The agency said information appropriate for public disclosure will be released only after arrests are made and charges are filed before the courts, in accordance with Liberian law.