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Liberia News Wire, Paynesville, Monrovia (2026)

09/10/2026

BREAKING: Over 67 Foreign Nationals Arrested in Major Cybercrime Bust in Liberia

The Liberia National Police has arrested more than 67 foreign nationals, primarily Chinese citizens, in a major operation targeting an alleged transnational cybercrime network. Authorities also seized over US$1.3 million in counterfeit currency.

Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman said raids were conducted in Rehab, the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex area, and the Baptist Seminary community following months of digital surveillance.

Security forces reportedly confiscated more than 100 mobile phones, over 50 computers, internet routers, storage devices, cash, and precious minerals. Some phones allegedly contained up to 20 WhatsApp accounts.

Authorities are seeking digital forensic assistance from the FBI and have contacted the Chinese government as investigations continue.

The suspects face allegations including cybercrime, counterfeiting, and economic sabotage. All remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

— Liberia News Wire

09/10/2026

LNTA Seeks Bigger FY2027 Budget to Drive Tourism Development

The Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA) is seeking an increase in its budgetary allocation for Fiscal Year 2027, as the institution moves to intensify investments in tourism infrastructure, destination marketing, investment promotion, and revenue generation.

The request was presented Thursday, October 8, during the FY2027 Budget Hearing, where LNTA Director General Princess Eva Cooper outlined the Authority’s achievements, financial performance, operational challenges, and priority areas for the coming fiscal year.

According to the LNTA Director General Princess Eva Cooper, the proposed budget increase would enable the Authority to rehabilitate and develop key tourism sites, including Providence Island, while improving Liberia’s visibility and competitiveness as an international tourism destination.

She disclosed that the Authority plans to develop market-ready tourism products capable of attracting domestic and international visitors, while creating an environment that encourages greater private-sector investment in the sector.

Speaking during the hearing, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine K. Ngafuan acknowledged tourism’s potential to contribute to Liberia’s economic transformation.

He stressed the importance of marketing Liberia’s tourism potential and giving the sector greater attention as the government pursues broader economic growth and development.

The budget hearing also highlighted several operational challenges confronting the LNTA, including logistical and equipment constraints, as well as the need to strengthen tourism data management, inspections, regulatory compliance, and revenue collection.

Under its proposed FY2027 priorities, the Authority is seeking to expand public awareness and community participation in tourism while strengthening workforce development through tourism education.

The LNTA is also placing greater emphasis on Liberia’s creative economy, with plans to promote arts, music, film, fashion, and cultural heritage as tools for expanding cultural tourism, creating employment opportunities, and attracting investment.

The Authority further intends to strengthen its digital transformation efforts and improve tourism revenue generation and management.

The proposed investment comes as Liberia seeks to position tourism as a stronger contributor to economic diversification, employment creation, cultural preservation, and private-sector growth.

If approved, the increased allocation would provide the LNTA with additional resources to develop tourism infrastructure, market Liberia as a destination, strengthen regulatory systems, and build a more competitive tourism industry.

08/10/2026

Government Says Evidence Against Ex-VP Taylor and Others Will Withstand Court Test

MONROVIA, Liberia — October 8, 2026: The Government of Liberia says it is confident that the evidence against former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor and other defendants indicted in connection with an alleged co***ne trafficking case will meet the court’s admissibility requirements.

Speaking at the Ministry of Information’s press briefing on Thursday, Acting Solicitor General Cllr. Abraham B. Sillah said state investigators had thoroughly reviewed the evidence and that prosecutors believe it is sufficient to support the charges in court.

Sillah urged the public to remain calm, saying the case has moved from the investigation stage to the judiciary, while investigations into other persons of interest continue.

He also rejected claims that the government is selectively targeting former government officials, saying the investigation will follow the evidence.

Those named in the indictment include former Vice President Taylor, former Liberia Civil Aviation Authority Deputy Director Mark Quiah, former National Security Agency Deputy Director Gerald Foley Smith, several foreign nationals, business and private individuals, and police officers DCP Anthony T. Blaye and ACP Wadell W. Kwarbo.

The indictment also refers to “others to be identified,” indicating that the investigation into the alleged transnational narcotics operation remains ongoing.

The allegations have yet to be proven in court. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Liberia News Wire continues to follow the case.

08/10/2026

Five More Arrested in 317-Kilogram Co***ne Case

MONROVIA, Liberia — October 8, 2026: Five additional suspects have been arrested in connection with Liberia’s ongoing investigation into an alleged 317-kilogram co***ne trafficking case, according to court documents.

The latest defendants are Gerald Foley Smith, former Deputy Director for Administration at the National Security Agency; Christian L. Nyantee; Jammel V. Jallah; Cayce L. Nelson; and Albenigo Janior.

Their arrests were ordered by Criminal Court “C” of the First Judicial Circuit, Montserrado County, in a writ issued on October 7 by Assigned Circuit Judge Ousman F. Feika.

The writ directed the Montserrado County Sheriff, Major Austine Seinavula, or his deputy, to take the defendants into custody and bring them before the court to answer to charges contained in an indictment.

The broader indictment names 17 defendants, including former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, foreign nationals Nikola Ivancic, Taras Zadereiko, Mihovil Vrovac, Srdan Seles and Johnn David Garces, as well as Liberian national Sheik Bashiru Kante and others.

Prosecutors have brought 11 charges against the defendants, including alleged unlicensed possession, importation, exportation, sale and transportation of controlled substances; illicit trafficking; criminal conspiracy, facilitation and solicitation; money laundering; and offenses involving physical objects for lethal use.

The latest arrests indicate that the government’s investigation into the alleged international co***ne-trafficking operation is continuing, with additional suspects now being brought before the court.

The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Liberia News Wire continues to monitor developments in the case.

07/10/2026

Twenty individuals, including former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, former NSA official Gerald Foley Smith, and former LCAA Deputy Director Mark Quiah, have been named in a Criminal Court "C" indictment involving alleged drug trafficking, money laundering, criminal conspiracy, and weapons-related offenses.

Prosecutors are pursuing eleven counts ranging from unlicensed possession, importation and distribution of controlled substances to illicit trafficking, criminal facilitation, solicitation, and possession of physical objects for lethal use.

Indictees / Defendants

1. Nikola Ivancic (a.k.a. Nikolas Ivancic)
2. Taras Zadereiko (a.k.a. Tony)
3. Mihovil Vrovac (a.k.a. Michael)
4. Srdan Seles
5. John David Garces
6. Sheik Bashiru Kante
7. Gerald Foley Smith
8. Edison M. Brown
9. Mohammed Alpha Bah
10. Jammel V. Jallah
11. Christian L. Nyantee
12. Christopher Saryeecee
13. Cayce L. Nelson
14. DCP Anthony T. Blaye
15. ACP Wadell W. Kwarbo
16. Albenigo Janior
17. Jewel Howard Taylor (former Vice President of Liberia)
18. Mark Quiah
19. Sekou Nana
20. Others to be identified

Charges Listed in the Indictment.

The defendants are charged with:

1. Unlicensed Possession of Controlled Drugs or Substances
2. Unlicensed Importation of Controlled Drugs/Substances
3. Unlicensed Exportation of Controlled Drugs/Substances
4. Unlicensed Sale, Trading, Administration, Dispensation, Delivery, Distribution, Dispatch in Transit, and Transportation of Controlled Drugs/Substances
5. Illicit Trafficking
6. Criminal Conspiracy
7. Criminal Facilitation
8. Criminal Solicitation
9. Money Laundering
10. Possession and Sale of Physical Objects for Lethal Use
11. Physical Objects for Lethal Use

07/10/2026

Video of the upgraded Boatswain Junior and Senior High School.

06/10/2026

Court Orders Brussels Airlines to Pay Over US$40,000 to Cllr. Goll

The Sixth Judicial Circuit Civil Law Court has ordered Brussels Airlines to pay more than US$40,000 in damages to Cllr. Urias S. Goll over a denied boarding incident at Roberts International Airport.

Goll sued the airline following a August 17, 2025 flight from Monrovia to Brussels, with a connecting flight to Canada. The Court rejected Brussels Airlines’ attempt to shift responsibility to Air Canada, finding that Goll was denied boarding in Monrovia and was not properly rerouted or refunded.

The Court also considered claims of physical and emotional distress and found that the airline’s evidence of a refund offer was insufficient.

Goll’s lawyer, Atty. Jeremiah Samuel Dugbo, has described the award as inadequate, citing his client’s financial losses, medical distress and inconvenience.

06/10/2026

President Boakai Returns to Liberia

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has returned to Liberia following his participation in the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

During the high-level gathering, President Boakai joined world leaders to discuss global issues and advance Liberia’s priorities on the international stage.

06/10/2026

Boakai Administration Records 55% Progress on National Development Plan – Naymote

MONROVIA, LIBERIA — The Boakai-Koung Administration has recorded more than 55 percent implementation progress on its flagship national development framework during its second year in office, according to the latest 2026 President Meter Report by Naymote Partners for Democratic Development.

The assessment tracks the implementation of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), the government’s five-year development framework launched in January 2025 with 378 interventions scheduled for implementation between 2025 and 2029.

According to Naymote, 213 of the 378 interventions are currently ongoing, with verifiable evidence showing that government action is being taken.

The latest figures indicate an increase in implementation compared with the previous monitoring period. Interventions classified as completed rose from 3 in 2025 to 12 in 2026, while ongoing interventions increased from 165 to 213.

At the same time, the number of commitments for which Naymote previously found insufficient evidence declined from 134 in 2025 to 103 in 2026.

Naymote’s assessment identifies Governance and Anti-Corruption and Infrastructure Development as areas where the administration has demonstrated particularly strong performance.

Despite the progress, the report also points to areas where implementation remains limited.

It found that 57 interventions, representing 14.8 percent, have not yet started, while 103 interventions, or 26.8 percent, remain unrated because there is insufficient evidence to determine their implementation status.

The findings form part of Naymote’s President Meter Project, its flagship initiative for independently monitoring, tracking, documenting and reporting on the implementation of the AAID.

The project seeks to promote transparency and accountability through a public dashboard and quarterly reporting, while incorporating community feedback and providing recommendations intended to help accelerate implementation of the government's development commitments.

The latest report provides a snapshot of the Boakai-Koung Administration’s progress as it moves through the second year of the AAID’s five-year implementation period.

06/10/2026

Agriculture Minister Seeks US$69 Million for 2027 Budget to Boost Food Production

MONROVIA, Liberia — Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah is seeking a US$69 million allocation for the Ministry of Agriculture in Liberia’s 2027 National Budget, citing staffing shortages, limited extension services and the need to strengthen domestic food production.

The proposed allocation remains subject to review as part of the national budget process and approval by the Legislature.

Speaking during a live radio interview in Monrovia on Monday, October 5, Minister Nuetah said the Ministry currently has 138 agricultural technicians, compared with an estimated requirement of 436 technicians needed to serve Liberia’s 109 agricultural districts.

He said increased funding would help recruit additional technicians and improve the Ministry’s ability to provide technical assistance and other services to farmers across the country.

Nuetah also pointed to developments in several agricultural value chains, including rubber, cassava, coffee, rice, cocoa and oil palm.

According to the Minister, rubber prices have increased from about US$540 to US$950 per metric ton following the issuance of Executive Order 166 by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.

In Margibi County, a cassava processing plant under construction in Weala is expected to increase local processing and create additional market opportunities for cassava producers.

The Minister also highlighted a partnership with JR Farms Group, a multinational agribusiness company, which he said will support the establishment of coffee nurseries and provide farmers with free coffee seedlings.

He said the government is also working to increase production and strengthen value chains for rice, cocoa and oil palm as part of broader efforts to improve Liberia’s food security.

“Agriculture is the people's way of life,” Nuetah said, urging farmers to take advantage of opportunities to transition toward commercial farming.

The Ministry’s proposed 2027 allocation is linked to priorities under the National Agriculture Development Plan, which aims to increase domestic agricultural production and advance Liberia’s goal of greater food self-sufficiency by 2030.

The proposed funding will now go through the national budget review process before any final allocation is determined.

Liberia News Wire

Liberia News Wire

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