Monrovia, Liberia – June 16, 2026 — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has vowed that everyone connected to the massive cocaine shipment recently intercepted at Roberts International Airport (RIA) will be identified and held accountable, declaring that no individual or institution is beyond the reach of the law.
Addressing the nation Tuesday, the President described the seizure of approximately 237.6 kilograms of cocaine, valued at more than US$19 million, as a serious threat to Liberia’s security and international reputation. He warned that the government would aggressively pursue those responsible and dismantle the network behind the operation.
Boakai said Liberia cannot afford to become a gateway for international drug trafficking syndicates and stressed that his administration remains committed to preventing criminal organizations from exploiting the country’s borders, institutions, and financial systems.
“This investigation will follow the evidence wherever it leads,” the President said, emphasizing that neither status, influence, nor position would protect anyone found to have participated in or facilitated the trafficking operation.
To strengthen the response, Boakai announced that the investigation is being coordinated through the National Joint Security apparatus under the supervision of the National Security Council. Multiple government institutions, including the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Liberia National Police (LNP), National Security Agency (NSA), Executive Protection Service (EPS), Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA), Liberia Immigration Service, Customs authorities, Airport Security, and the Ministry of Justice, have been directed to work together as part of a unified operation.
According to the President, investigators have been tasked with tracing every aspect of the alleged trafficking network, including those involved in transportation, logistics, financing, facilitation, and any international connections linked to the shipment.
Boakai also disclosed that Liberia has already initiated discussions with international partners to enhance intelligence sharing and strengthen cross-border cooperation as authorities seek to uncover the full scope of the operation.
While recognizing growing public calls for information, the President defended the government’s decision to limit the release of investigative details at this stage. He noted that premature disclosures could jeopardize ongoing operations, alert potential suspects, and interfere with efforts to secure critical evidence.
The President urged citizens to remain patient as investigators carry out their work, assuring the public that the government remains committed to a thorough, credible, and independent process.
Framing the issue as more than a law enforcement matter, Boakai said the fight against narcotics trafficking is directly tied to the future of Liberia’s youth, the safety of communities, and the credibility of national institutions.
He reaffirmed that Liberia welcomes legitimate investment and business activities but will not tolerate criminal enterprises seeking to use the country as a base for illicit operations.
Concluding his address, Boakai pledged that his administration would remain steadfast in confronting organized crime and protecting the nation’s security, declaring that those responsible for the multi-million-dollar drug shipment would face the full weight of the law.
