Monrovia, Liberia – June 16, 2026 – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has assured Liberians that no individual, institution, or criminal network connected to the recent seizure of approximately 237.6 kilograms of cocaine at Roberts International Airport (RIA) will be shielded from investigation or prosecution.
In a nationwide address on Tuesday, June 16, President Boakai described the seizure, valued at more than US$19 million, as one of the largest narcotics interdictions in Liberia’s history and a clear indication that transnational criminal organizations continue to view West Africa as a major transit corridor for illicit drugs.
“Though I maintain that Liberia is open for business, Liberia is not open for the business of drug trafficking,” the President declared. “Liberia will not be used as a safe haven, transit point, warehouse, financial center, or operational base by criminal networks engaged in narcotics trafficking.”
The President said the government has elevated the matter to a National Joint Security investigation under the authority of the National Security Council, emphasizing that the probe will be comprehensive and evidence-driven.
According to Boakai, the investigation is being coordinated by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) and the Liberia National Police (LNP), with support from the National Security Agency (NSA), Executive Protection Service (EPS), Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA), Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), Customs Authorities, Airport Security, the Ministry of Justice, and other security institutions.
President Boakai disclosed that the investigation will proceed on two fronts. The first, he said, will focus on identifying, arresting, investigating, and prosecuting every individual directly connected to the shipment. The second will target the dismantling of the wider criminal enterprise responsible for financing, coordinating, facilitating, and profiting from the drug trafficking operation.
“We are not interested only in intercepting drugs or arresting couriers,” the President stated. “We are determined to expose and destroy the networks that finance, coordinate, facilitate, and profit from this criminal activity.”
The Liberian leader warned that all persons linked to the operation, including public officials, financiers, facilitators, private citizens, and foreign actors, would face the full force of the law if evidence establishes their involvement.
President Boakai further announced that Liberia has intensified cooperation with international partners to support the investigation through intelligence sharing, financial tracking, forensic analysis, and coordinated cross-border operations.
He revealed that a high-level government delegation has already been dispatched to engage key international partners and strengthen collaboration aimed at identifying and dismantling all individuals and organizations connected to the criminal network.
In one of the strongest declarations of the address, the President emphasized that the investigation would follow the evidence wherever it leads.
“No person will be untouchable. No institution will be shielded from scrutiny. No criminal network will escape justice,” he said.
While acknowledging growing public demand for information and accountability, President Boakai urged Liberians to remain calm and allow investigators to carry out their work professionally. He cautioned that premature disclosure of sensitive information could compromise investigations, alert suspects, destroy evidence, hinder prosecutions, and endanger individuals cooperating with authorities.
“The Liberian people have every right to expect transparency from their government,” Boakai noted. “However, successful investigations require discipline, professionalism, and the protection of operational information.”
The President pledged that updates would be provided to the public at appropriate stages of the investigation while ensuring that ongoing operations are not jeopardized.
Concluding his address, President Boakai reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting Liberia’s borders, safeguarding national institutions, and preserving the country’s international reputation.
“The fight against drug trafficking is beyond a law enforcement challenge; it is a fight for the future of our young people, the security of our communities, the credibility of our institutions, and the prosperity of our nation,” he said.
He added that those who seek to profit from the suffering of Liberians or undermine national security “will find no refuge in Liberia,” expressing confidence that the country will ultimately prevail through unity, resolve, and determination.
