President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. has vowed an uncompromising battle against drug trafficking following the interception of nearly 237.6 kilograms of cocaine at Roberts International Airport, valued at more than US$19 million on the street.
In a nationwide address on Tuesday, June 16, President Boakai made it clear that while Liberia remains open to legitimate investment and trade, it will never become a haven for narcotics trafficking or organized crime.
“Liberia is open for business, but not for the business of drug trafficking,” the President asserted.
Describing the seizure as among the biggest drug interceptions ever recorded in Liberia, Boakai warned that the country would not be used as a corridor, storage point, financial hub, or operational center for international drug syndicates.
The President stressed that the fight is not only against those physically transporting narcotics, but also against the broader criminal organizations funding and orchestrating the illegal trade.
“We are focused not only on intercepting the drugs and arresting couriers, but on exposing and dismantling the entire network behind this criminal enterprise,” he said.
To intensify the crackdown, President Boakai announced that the National Joint Security, acting under the authority of the National Security Council, has been tasked to spearhead the investigation.
The operation is being jointly coordinated by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) and the Liberia National Police (LNP), with additional support from the National Security Agency, Executive Protection Service, Financial Intelligence Agency, Liberia Immigration Service, customs officials, airport security, the Ministry of Justice, and other relevant institutions.
According to the President, investigators have been directed to concentrate on two critical objectives: identifying, arresting, and prosecuting all individuals directly connected to the shipment, and tracing the wider criminal network responsible for financing, facilitating, and benefiting from the operation.
Boakai also revealed that Liberia is stepping up collaboration with international law enforcement bodies through intelligence sharing, forensic cooperation, financial tracking, and joint cross-border investigations.
As part of that effort, he disclosed that a high-powered Liberian delegation has already been dispatched to engage international partners in identifying and taking down every person and organization linked to the drug operation.
The President reassured the public that the investigation would spare no one.
“No one will be untouchable. No institution will be beyond scrutiny. No criminal enterprise will escape justice,” Boakai declared, promising that anyone found culpable would face the full force of the law.
While acknowledging growing public calls for transparency, the Liberian leader urged citizens to remain patient and allow security agencies to conduct their work without disruption.
He cautioned that releasing sensitive details too early could jeopardize the investigation, compromise evidence, alert suspects, and place cooperating witnesses at risk.
President Boakai assured Liberians that updates would be made public at the appropriate time and in accordance with the law.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment to protecting Liberia, Boakai said the fight against drugs is not just about law enforcement but about securing the nation’s future, preserving state institutions, and protecting young people from the devastating effects of narcotics.
He warned that anyone seeking to profit from the pain of Liberians or undermine national security would find no sanctuary in the country.
The President ended his address by calling for unity and collective determination, expressing confidence that Liberia would emerge victorious in the fight against drug trafficking.
“With unity, resolve, and determination, we will overcome this challenge and protect the future of our nation,” he concluded
