14/06/2026
Top Liberian Government officials Accused Of Link To USD $19.2million Co***ne
By: staff write
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MONROVIA - The Liberian government through its National Security Council has officially launched a full-skilled investigation in a USD $19.2million co***ne recently intercepted at the country's only international airport outside it's capital Monrovia.
The matter initially investigated by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) was elevated to a Joint National Security Investigation on Saturday June 13 following a tense security meeting held with President Joseph N. Boakai.
On Tuesday June 9, Officer in charge of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency Fitzgerald Biago announced a seizure of an approximately 237.6 kilograms of co***ne at the Country's only international airport through and the arrest of five individuals who were identified as persons of interest.
Despite, the arrest, the government has not been able to release to the public names of individuals arrested raising serious concerns among citizens and members of the National Legislature (Parliament) and have sparked calls for immediate release of the names and publication of the individuals images.
Citizens criticizing the government have expressed fear that concealing the alleged culprits could undermine transparency and accountability in the investigative process adding that Liberians particularly youths have been hugely affected by illicit drugs something that requires government's aggressive approach towards smuggling, trafficking distribution and usage of illicit substances in the country.
Many have expressed fear of the pe*******on of narcotics on the Liberian soil could replicate lost of dozens of lives as was experienced during the country's 14 years of civil crisis which claimed over 250,000 lives.
In the USD $19.2million co***ne case, several government officials and top businessmen have been accused of having link to the syndicate but the government is yet to confirm or clarify the names as investigation is still ongoing.
Those accused by citizens including recently impeached lawmaker Yekeh Kolubah include Madam McDella Cooper, spouse of the speaker of the House of Representatives who also serves senior political advisor to president Boakai, Tantan Boakai, son of President Christopher Onanuga, official of the National Tourism Authority, Baba 2sweet, a businessman among several others.
According to reports, the 198 compressed co***ne plates kept in rubber barrels were stored in the warehouse of the Roberts International Airport as cargo from June 5 to June 8 before it's confiscation on Monday June 8, following preparations to have it exported to the United Kingdom on Brussel Airlines.
Following the confiscation of the huge consignment of drugs, several Liberians home and in the diaspora have begun discussing the country's vulnerability and government failure to put in place machnism that will tackle illicit drug smuggling, trafficking, distribution and usage in the country.
Civil society actors and opposition figures have sharply the government for delaying the release names of those connected to the syndicate adding that the government's action has raised citizens doubts about its sincerity in tackling narcotics or apprehending and prosecuting individuals connected to either smuggling, trafficking and distribution.
But a statement issued by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency on Saturday depend the government's action noting that in recognition of the magnitude of the seizure, its potential transnational dimensions, and possible links to organized criminal networks, the National Security Council has elevated the matter to a Joint National Security Investigation something it said reflects the Government of Liberia’s determination to treat the matter not simply as a narcotics case, but as a significant national security threat with potential implications for border security, international aviation, financial integrity, public safety, and Liberia’s standing within the international community.
The LDEA also acknowledged what it called heightened public interest surrounding the seizure of approximately 237.6 kilograms of co***ne valued at more than US$19 million at Roberts International Airport (RIA) on June 8, 2026, indicating that the investigation is being coordinated by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency and the Liberia National Police, with operational support from the National Security Agency, the Executive Protection Service, the Financial Intelligence Agency, the Liberia Immigration Service, Customs Authorities, Airport Security, the Ministry of Justice, and other relevant security institutions.
It added that while citizens growing calls on social media for the immediate publication of the names of individuals believed to be connected to the shipment, and the public’s interest in transparency and accountability is both legitimate and understandable, investigators must ensure that operational, intelligence, and evidentiary requirements are not compromised.
According to the agency, premature disclosure of the identities of persons of interest, suspects, cooperating witnesses, or individuals under active investigation could tip off additional suspects, facilitate the destruction or concealment of evidence, interfere with intelligence-gathering efforts, compromise international law-enforcement cooperation, prejudice future prosecutions, and place investigators, witnesses, and other individuals at risk".
In furthermore, the LDEA said naming people could ultimately undermine efforts to dismantle the entire criminal enterprise behind this transnational trafficking operation stating that
investigations to date indicate that the consignment was transported to Roberts International Airport for shipment on Friday, June 5, 2026, by an individual identified as Emmanuel Zeon, who departed the scene shortly after delivering the cargo to the airport warehouse for export through Brussels Airlines and is currently being sought by law enforcement authorities.
At the same time, the statement disclosed that several individuals and institutions involved in the shipment process, including shipping agencies, airport personnel, security officers, and other relevant parties, continue to cooperate with investigators as part of an extensive, multidimensional inquiry.
"Additional investigative actions are ongoing, and several leads are being actively pursued.
The Joint Security Team is aggressively pursuing all investigative leads, including the identification of financiers, facilitators, logistical coordinators, corrupt enablers, and any domestic or international actors connected to the shipment. The investigation is focused not only on those directly linked to the seized narcotics but also on identifying and dismantling the broader criminal network responsible for financing, coordinating, facilitating, and attempting to exploit Liberia’s transportation and security infrastructure for illicit purposes' the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency pointed out.
The statement further mentioned that the Government of Liberia recognizes that Roberts International Airport is a critical national asset and gateway to international commerce, tourism, investment, and travel emphasizing that the investigation accordingly seeks not only to hold offenders accountable but also to protect the integrity of Liberia’s aviation and security systems, preserve public confidence, and reassure international partners that Liberia remains committed to combating transnational organized crime.
LDEA however call on Liberians and the international community to remain assured that no individual, regardless of position, status, influence, affiliation, or institutional connection, will be shielded from investigation or exempt from the full weight of the law. Where sufficient evidence exists, arrests will be made, charges will be filed, and prosecutions will be pursued without fear, favor, or exception.
