—As Agriculture, and Commerce remain quite Over Concerns
IPNEWS: Uneasiness continue to mount in Monrovia over a secret operations of some Chinese mafia group operating in Liberia. For some time now, this paper had been investigating the operations of this group in several clandestine activities in Liberia ranging from smuggling to other criminal activities, but the government has acted a little slow in arresting the operations of this Chinese mafia group.
An investigation conducted by the authoritative Independent Probe can confirmed that at least 300 containers stock with unprocessed rubber are on its way to be smuggled out of Liberia in violation of an ongoing moratorium on export unprocessed rubber by the government of Liberia.
It remains unknown as who granted the export permit to these Chinese but one of the Chinese operatives reveals in a conversation with a colleagues that it was obtained from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
IPNEWS investigation further reveals that this group obtained the export license under the pretense of exporting cocoa and without due-diligence the Ministry of Commerce granted the export license.
In an official responds, by he the authoritative Independent Probe to the Liberia Revenue Authoritative about its knowledge over the smuggling o the unprocessed rubber, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) clarified that it rejects involvement in reports regarding alleged rubber smuggling through the Freeport of Monrovia.
LRA, admits a recent attempted Smuggling Incident, approximately two weeks ago, when an exporter attempted to ship unprocessed rubber falsely declared as cocoa. Through intelligence-led operations, the scheme was immediately detected at an early stage—well before any Customs processes or procedures were engaged.
“The shipment was halted on the spot. Ten containers involved in the attempted smuggling remain seized and grounded at the port.
APM Terminals was also instructed not to load or export the containers under any circumstance.
Status of the Investigation: Although the exporter obtained an export permit from the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) based on the false declaration, the fraudulent activity was intercepted before reaching Customs inspection or clearance.
A full investigation is ongoing, and statutory enforcement actions are being pursued in accordance with Liberia’s trade and revenue laws to ensure accountability and uphold the integrity of the export system.
Export of Unprocessed Rubber Is Not Prohibited. Exporting unprocessed rubber is allowed under Liberian law; however, it is subject to a strict, lengthy, and highly regulated process. Exporters must comply with requirements from multiple agencies—including the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and the Ministry of Commerce (MOC)—and must meet all surcharges and regulatory obligations before approval is granted.
Our Commitment: The LRA remains unwavering in its mandate to protect Liberia’s revenue, enforce compliance, and prevent illegal trade practices.
The LRA will continue to work with all partner agencies to ensure that no unauthorized exports or smuggling attempts undermine national revenue or regulatory integrity. A statement from LRA read.
President Joseph Boakai placed a definitive ban on the export of unprocessed rubber from Liberia through the issuance of Executive Order No. 151, effective August 1, 2025. This order aims to promote domestic industrialization and value addition within Liberia’s rubber sector.
The order’s main goal is to transition Liberia from exporting raw materials to processing its resources domestically.
The ban specifically covers the export of unprocessed rubber, such as natural latex and other raw forms.
Only fully processed rubber products meeting international standards are exempt.
Exporters of processed rubber must adhere to new regulations, including a 4% presumptive tax, contributions to the Rubber Development Fund, a surcharge of USD $150 per metric ton, and obtaining necessary permits and tax clearances.
Penalties for non-compliance include fines and potential license revocation.
Executive Order No. 151 replaces a previous order (Executive Order #124) from the prior administration, which caused difficulties for small farmers and traders. President Boakai had issued Executive Order #132 as a temporary measure before implementing the current order.
Recently the authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper, reported the establishment of a criminal network (mafia) in Liberia operated by some Chinese purporting to be investors with links to the Triads criminal gang.
Renewed investigation has established that these Chinese mafia are involved in a major money laundering scam using Liberia as hideout of their criminal activities.
Several sources, told the authoritative Independent Probe that these Chinese are laundering money between Liberia, Ghana and south Afirca using Chinese owned casinos to clean their dirty money.
Agents of the Financial Intelligence Agency confided in IPNEWS that there is ongoing investigation into how some Chinese nationals are conducting the movement of monies into Liberia as there were scanty information about their transfers of money in to Liberia.
However, IPNEWS investigation reviews that some of the Chinese mafia monies brought into Liberia are laundered through a Lady only identified as ‘Linda’, who is said to be the source of many of the dozens Chinese transfers into Liberia daily.
IPNEWS investigation further reveals that this group of Chinese mafia are also involved with Smuggling of various kinds of good into Liberia without the knowledge of the Liberia Revenue Authority.
A case of a Chinese businessman, Shun Feng, who was arrested by the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) for allegedly attempting to smuggle a 40-foot container of goods into the country, bypassing proper revenue laws.
In march 2025, controversial Chinese national Yang Dan in a high-profile scandal, was arrested and charged in a case involving alleged manipulation of business partners and possible corruption within high-ranking Liberian officials at the ports.
These cases highlight ongoing issues with foreign entities, particularly Chinese nationals, operating outside Liberian laws in the natural resource sectors and in business, prompting various law enforcement actions.
Between 2023 and 2025, serval Chinese nationals have been arrested for illicit activities in Liberia.
In 2024, Several groups of Chinese nationals with links to this same ‘Triads’ international Chinese mafia gang were arrested by the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for engaging in illicit gold and black sand mining across different counties, including Grand Bassa, Lofa, and Rivercess. These operations were in violations of Liberian environmental management laws and operating without proper permits or in areas under an official closure order.
A Chinese-flagged fishing vessel, the ‘Guo Ji 809’, was also arrested by the Liberian Coast Guard in January 2018 for illegal fishing in Liberian waters with an expired license. Officials noted that the majority of those caught fishing illegally in Liberian waters were Chinese nationals.
According to sources both Chinese and Liberians associates, the ‘triads’ affiliate group intends to overtake Liberia hospitality businesses such as Hotels and Casinos operations in a bid to widen the groups operations within the tiny west African country.
The Triads, is a organized Chinese criminalized group roaming the west AFRICAN REGION suspected of being involved in various illicit activities across Africa, particularly West Africa.
Many of this group recent operations are known to move timber, wildlife products (such as pangolin scales and rosewood), gold, and diamonds from Liberia and other Parts of Africa to the Asian markets.
Liberia, with its porous borders and issues in regulating artisanal mining, has become a hotspot for the Triads smuggling operations. Importantly, Money laundering is a significant part of the group’s operations according to sources within the National SECURITY Agency Who told IPNEWS on condition of not to be named. Liberia has been noted as a country of concern for money laundering, with some cases involving international wire transfers from countries where Chinese criminal activity, such as Ecuador and Slovakia.
