“The Drug Network Runs Deep in This Government”: Liberian-American Security Expert Slams Self-Investigation, Accuses State Institutions of Compromise
BY: Rufus Divine Brooks Jr.
“Justice Is Being Managed, Not Served”: Alfred Jah Johnson Says Boakai Government Cannot Be Trusted to Probe Drug Crisis”
MONROVIA, Liberia – Liberian-American security expert Alfred Jah Johnson has criticized the Boakai administration’s handling of ongoing drug investigations, alleging that corruption is so widespread within government institutions that allowing them to probe the case amounts to “the government investigating itself.”
Speaking on the credibility of recent indictments, Johnson questioned the government’s seriousness in combating narcotics trafficking and called for an independent investigation to restore public trust.
“How Can They Investigate Themselves?”
In a statement that has gone viral, Johnson said the structure of the alleged drug network implicates multiple state agencies.
“Me looking at the charge sheet and wondering if the people are serious about this drug thing in Liberia?” Johnson said.
“How can you see that from the airport, to the police, the NSA, the seaports, etc, the drug network runs deep in this government, yet, you think the people can investigate themselves?”
He argued that when institutions mandated to enforce the law are themselves suspected of compromise, they cannot be trusted to lead the inquiry.
“If the institutions charged with the investigation have evidently been compromised, to ensure integrity in the investigation, calm public fear and regain public trust, you don’t allow those institutions to investigate those criminal incidents.
That’s like them investigating themselves,” he stated.
Johnson, who says he has worked in law enforcement since 2008, also criticized the charge sheet for what he described as selective prosecution.
“I have never seen people going after the little guy and seemingly using the big guys as witnesses,” he said.
“How can the airport guy not be part of those charged given his clearly stated role? How, Sway, how?!”
Johnson was careful to note he was not accusing every government official of involvement.
“This is not to suggest that everyone in the government is compromised. No,” he added.
The security expert’s comments come amid growing public skepticism over the government’s anti-drug campaign and recent arrests linked to narcotics smuggling through Liberia’s ports and airport.
Johnson urged authorities to hand the investigation over to an independent body, including international partners, to ensure transparency and credibility.
“Without that, Liberians will continue to believe that justice is being managed, not served,” he said.