MONROVIA – The Ministry of Justice has put the estimated street value of the seized 3,971 kilograms of suspected cocaine at US$317.68 million, describing the discovery as one of the country’s most significant narcotics busts.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald Tweh warn that investigators have uncovered evidence of a sophisticated transnational drug trafficking network believed to have operated in Liberia for more than six years.
Attorney General Tweh announced the development Wednesday in a national address, saying the seizure followed days of intelligence gathering and coordinated security operations linked to an ongoing investigation into suspected international narcotics trafficking.
Authorities disclosed that several persons of interest were arrested on July 20, leading investigators to a property in the VOA Community along the Roberts International Airport Highway in Duazon, Margibi County.
Acting on a court-authorized search warrant, members of the Joint National Security Investigative Task Force searched the premises on July 21, where they discovered the suspected cocaine concealed at the location.
Foreign Nationals Arrested in Drug Raid
The Ministry of Justice said two foreign nationals one a Serbian citizen and the other holding dual Colombian and Spanish nationality were arrested in connection with the seizure and are assisting investigators. Their identities have been withheld to avoid compromising ongoing investigative efforts.
Investigators also recovered several items believed to be linked to the suspected trafficking operation, including diving suits, a firearm, GPS tracking devices, a drone, Starlink satellite internet equipment and other materials now undergoing forensic examination.
According to the Attorney General, preliminary findings indicate the operation was highly organized, well-financed and supported by an extensive logistical network.
Authorities are now investigating the origin, ownership, transportation methods and intended destination of the drugs, while tracing financial transactions and possible domestic and international collaborators connected to the operation.
The government said it will continue working with national and international law enforcement agencies to identify additional suspects and dismantle the broader criminal network.
Government Orders Confiscation of Drug Properties
The government has ordered the confiscation and forfeiture of the Duazon property where the suspected cocaine was discovered, along with the vehicle allegedly used to transport the narcotics, in accordance with the Amended Controlled Drug and Substance Act of 2023.
The Attorney General further instructed the Joint National Security Investigative Task Force to initiate similar forfeiture proceedings against the residence of Paul King on V.P. Road, which authorities said was used to store and transport cocaine seized during an earlier operation on June 8, 2026.
Despite the major breakthrough, the Ministry of Justice urged the public to refrain from speculating about individuals who have not been formally charged, emphasizing that all persons under investigation remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The government reaffirmed its determination to ensure Liberia does not become a transit corridor, storage hub or operational base for international narcotics trafficking, declaring that anyone found criminally responsible regardless of nationality, status or political influence will be prosecuted under Liberian law.
Calling on citizens to support the fight against drug trafficking, the Attorney General urged Liberians to report credible information to security authorities, warning that narcotics trafficking threatens national security, weakens public institutions and destroys the country’s youth.
He assured the public that all seized evidence remains secured under established chain-of-custody procedures and said further updates, including laboratory results, formal charges and additional arrests, will be announced as the investigation progresses.
