Monrovia, Liberia – June 16, 2026 — Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh has defended the government’s decision to withhold details surrounding the ongoing investigation into the massive US$19.2 million cocaine seizure, stating that releasing sensitive information prematurely could compromise the case.
Speaking Tuesday, June 16, 2026, during an appearance before lawmakers on Capitol Hill, Minister Tweh said investigators are deliberately limiting public disclosures as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the high-profile drug bust.
“Disclosing information about the US$19.2 million drug seizure at this time could undermine the ongoing investigation. As investigators continue their work, we are withholding details from the public to protect the integrity of the process,” Tweh told members of the Legislature.
The Justice Minister’s remarks come amid growing public pressure and increasing calls for transparency following the seizure of approximately 233 kilograms of cocaine reportedly linked to an international trafficking network operating through Liberia.
The case has sparked national debate, with citizens, activists, and media institutions demanding answers about how such a large quantity of narcotics allegedly passed through the Roberts International Airport (RIA), and whether powerful individuals may be connected to the operation.
Recent investigative reports have also suggested that the US$19.2 million seizure may not have been the first consignment linked to the alleged network. Claims of an earlier 100-kilogram shipment successfully leaving Liberia have further intensified scrutiny on airport security and the country’s anti-drug enforcement system.
However, Minister Tweh indicated that authorities are prioritizing the investigation over public commentary at this stage.
While he did not disclose specific findings or identify any suspects during his appearance on Capitol Hill, Tweh emphasized that investigators are actively working to establish the full scope of the operation.
The Justice Minister’s statement is likely to draw mixed reactions from the public, as many Liberians continue to demand accountability and immediate disclosure of those allegedly connected to the narcotics trade.
Meanwhile, security agencies and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) remain under mounting pressure to demonstrate progress in what is now being described as one of the country’s largest drug investigations in recent history.
