Warns Against powerful “high-ups” from evading justice
IPNEWS: Deputy Information Minister Daniel has accused members of the opposition of undermining the investigation into recent US$19 million drug seizure.
Speaking via telephone on Okay FM, Sando stated that while the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) and other security institutions are actively investigating the drug consignment, opposition figures are allegedly spreading false information and misleading photographs on social media, thereby interfering with the process.
He indicated that the LDEA has not released any photographs or passport details of the six persons of interest connected to the case.
According to Sando, releasing the names and images of the individuals under investigation at this stage could compromise the credibility of the investigation.
He further warned that the alleged perpetrators could use such information to destroy evidence or obstruct the ongoing probe.
However, members of Liberia’s opposition and allied civil society groups have issued a fierce pushback against the government after Deputy Spokesman Daniel Sando accused them of trying to undermine the ongoing national security investigation into the recent US$19.2 million cocaine seizure at Roberts International Airport (RIA).
Sando alleged that opposition political actors were exploiting the drug bust to distract the public and compromise the integrity of the Joint National Security Team Investigation.
Opposition members and coalitions swiftly rejecting to his claim, argued that demanding transparency and accountability is a constitutional right, not an attempt to derail justice.
The Solidarity and Trust for New Day (Stand) led Liberia Protest Coalition has spearheaded the political response, executing several direct actions issuing a strict 72-hour ultimatum to the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) to publicly reveal the identity by issuing as of the six-airport staff and international suspects currently detained.
The Opposition leaders have also rejected the government’s stance that the transnational nature of the drug cartel justifies keeping suspects’ names hidden. They argued that prolonged secrecy damages public trust du to deep-seated skepticism toward domestic state institutions, and call for an independent monitoring from the United States, European Union, and United Nations to prevent powerful “high-ups” from evading justice.
The coalition is leveraging public frustration over the drug bust to build momentum for a major “Peaceful Protest” scheduled for July 17, 2026.
The political friction has extended to Capitol Hill, where the House of Representatives invoked its oversight authority. Lawmakers have summoned the leadership of the LDEA, the Ministry of Justice, Customs, and RIA management to appear before a plenary session on tomorrow, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, to answer for the security breaches and explicitly name the individuals in custody.
