The Court in Margibi Convicted The Nigerian National in Major Heroin Trafficking Case
The 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Margibi County has secured a landmark conviction in one of Liberia’s most significant narcotics prosecutions, finding Nigerian national Prince Okeke guilty for his central role in a large-scale heroin trafficking operation.
Following a full trial, the court convicted Okeke on multiple counts, including unlicensed importation, illicit trafficking of controlled substances, criminal conspiracy, and criminal facilitation. On Saturday, January 24, 2026, the court handed down a 15-year prison sentence. Court records indicate that Okeke has since filed an appeal before the Supreme Court of Liberia, seeking to overturn the judgment.
The case stems from the interception of more than eight kilograms of raw heroin smuggled into the country through Roberts International Airport (RIA). Authorities estimate the street value of the seized narcotics at approximately US$389,000, underscoring the scale and sophistication of the operation. Prosecutors identified Okeke as the principal local facilitator, accused of coordinating and enabling the drug’s entry into Liberia.
The conviction has been hailed as a major enforcement success for the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), which led the investigation and prosecution. The agency described the outcome as a strong affirmation of its resolve to confront transnational drug trafficking and dismantle networks that pose serious risks to public safety and national security.
Law enforcement officials say the ruling sends a clear warning to organized drug syndicates that Liberia will not serve as a safe corridor for illicit narcotics, as authorities intensify efforts to protect the country’s borders and communities from the growing threat of drug-related crime.
