The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) on June 8, 2026, intercepted 198 compressed plates of cocaine concealed in six cargo boxes at the Roberts International Airport in Liberia. LDEA placed the shipment at an estimated street value of US$19,226,000.00 million (approximately LRD 3,652,940,000.00 billion), which was destined for export via Brussels Airlines.
Addressing a press conference on June 9, 2026, the Head of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, DCP. Fitzgerald T. M. Biago informed the public that investigators had identified persons of interest. Biago assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted, and anyone identified would be prosecuted according to the rule of law.
It has been over a week now since the announcement was made, but the LDEA has not made public the suspects identified in the $19 milliondrug case. The Institution’s loud silence has raised numerous concerns in the public.
Citizens’ reaction
Citizens have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the LDEA’s decision to keep the investigation private. Some stressed that it is an attempt to conceal the identities of individuals connected to drug trafficking because they believe it involves high-profile personalities in government and the private sector. Some have taken to Facebook to demand investigations of high-profile members of government, as can be found here, here, and here.
Political parties reactions
Politicians have criticised the Drug Enforcement Agency, accusing it of shielding suspects connected to the case.
Secretary General of the Major Opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Jefferson Koijee, wrote on his Facebook page that the act by LDEA “is a calculated attempt at narrative management, a deliberate shrinking of the truth that screams of either total incapacity or malicious concealment at the highest levels of the security and regulatory chain.”
Also, representative Musa Hassan Bility of District #7, Nimba County and political leader of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) in a public letter to President Boakai expressed frustration about the incident. He said with his son, Peach Bility, currently serving a four-year jail term in prison for illegal possession of drugs and firearms, and the extent of drug abuse by the country’s youth, the Agency cannot afford to sleep on this matter.
“Do not allow anyone to stand between you and the right decision. Do not allow position, friendship, power, or influence to protect anyone involved in destroying our children. Let there be a serious, independent, and fearless investigation. Let those responsible be exposed and prosecuted, no matter who they are,” Bility said.
According to the politician, the matter is no longer just a law enforcement issue but a national emergency that is destroying families, weakening communities, and endangering the future of the Liberian state.
“I know that by saying this, I may be criticised. Some may say I should remain silent because my own son has been affected. But that is exactly why I must speak. I am speaking as a father. I am speaking for my son. I am speaking for the thousands of Liberian children whose lives have been damaged by drugs. I am speaking for the many families who are suffering in silence.”
Senator Abraham Dillon of Montserrado and a steward of the Liberty Party cautioned that the LDEA’s silence is creating more speculations than good. He wrote,
“LDEA, do you now see that without daily public updates, your action and or inaction is generating all the speculations, twisting, spinning and finger-pointings?” The lawmaker urged LDEA to rise up and provide information to the public.
Civil society reactions
Members of the civil society community have called for transparency and accountability in the investigation process. They lamented that drugs are a national emergency and should be treated as such, cautioning that the issue should not be handled in the dark. Organisers of the August 7, 2025, “Say No To Drug” protest announced a march slated for June 17, 2026, in pursuit of demanding justice in the process. Unfortunately, the March wasn’t held. The report can be found here.
The Centre for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) Executive Director Anderson Miamen wrote on his social media page, calling for a speedy investigation and prosecution of perpetrators who would be found guilty. Report here.
House of representative
Through a communication by Representative Moima Briggs Mensah of Bong, the House of Representatives on June 12, 2026, summoned the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency’s officer in charge, Justice Minister, Natu Oswald Tweh Sr., the Liberia Airport Authority and Customs officials to appear before plenary on Tuesday, June 16, to provide details on how they are investigating the drug case and why suspects identified have not been named publicly.
The body appeared before the House Plenary on Tuesday, but didn’t provide information on what their investigation had revealed. According to the Joint Security, premature disclosure of the identities of persons of interest, suspects, or individuals under active investigation could tip off additional suspects, facilitate the destruction of evidence, interfere with intelligence-gathering efforts, and compromise international law -enforcement cooperation.
Through the order of the Speaker Richard Koon, the hearing was forwarded to an executive session (secret from the public), which was perceived differently by some lawmakers. Representative Moima Briggs Mensah, Representative Frank Saah Foko and others walked out of the session, with Frank Foko accusing the Speaker of being compromised in the matter.
LDEA Response
However, before LDEA appearance before the House, the entity released a statement on June 13 stating that investigations has indicated 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.
According to LDEA, “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 Agency acknowledged widespread public concerns but stated that, in recognition of the magnitude of the seizure, its potential transnational dimensions, and possible links to organised criminal networks, the National Security Council has elevated the matter to a Joint National Security Investigation. 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.
“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. Such actions could ultimately undermine efforts to dismantle the entire criminal enterprise behind this transnational trafficking operation.”
President Boakai’s statement
Liberia’s President on Tuesday, June 16, addressed the nation on State Radio ELBC about matters concerning the $19million drugs. In his address, the President stated that though Liberia is open for business, drug trafficking will not be tolerated. He said the country will not be used as a haven, transit point, warehouse, financial centre, or operational base by criminal networks engaged in narcotics trafficking.
“Let me be loud and clear here. Though I maintain that Liberia is open for business, Liberia is not open for the business of drug trafficking. Liberia will not be used as a safe haven, transit point, warehouse, financial centre, or operational base by criminal networks engaged in narcotics trafficking. Any individual, group, or network that seeks to exploit our territory, corrupt our institutions, endanger our youth, or undermine our national security will be identified, pursued, and brought to justice,” President Boakai said.
The Liberian Leader has assured citizens and the public that due diligence will be done in the investigation, and anyone found guilty will be prosecuted accordingly.
Conclusion
Liberia is facing a serious controversy over investigations involving the $19 million drug seized at its only International Airport. The decision by investigators to shield preliminary information from the public has contributed to speculations, disinformation and panic in Liberia, creating disbelief in the act of transparency and accountability in the process.
However, security apparatus have assured the public of conducting a comprehensive investigation that will later be communicated in due time.