NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – The Liberia Political Centrism Movement (LPCM) has expressed deep concern over the recent seizure of cocaine at Roberts International Airport (RIA), reportedly valued at approximately US$19.2 million, warning that the incident highlights serious weaknesses in Liberia’s security and border control systems.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
In a statement issued over the weekend, the political movement commended law enforcement officers whose efforts led to the interception of the large cocaine shipment but cautioned that the seizure reflects a growing narcotics threat with far-reaching consequences for Liberia’s security, economy, and international reputation.
According to the LPCM, the scale of the drug shipment suggests that sophisticated transnational trafficking networks have identified and are exploiting vulnerabilities within Liberia’s security architecture and border oversight mechanisms.
“The gravity of this matter demands nothing less than a comprehensive, transparent, and urgently executed national response,” the movement said.
The organization argued that the seizure should not be viewed as an isolated incident but rather as evidence of a broader and more entrenched criminal enterprise operating through the country’s ports of entry and supply chains.
“The sheer scale of this shipment is a stark and sobering indicator that sophisticated transnational trafficking networks have identified and are actively exploiting critical vulnerabilities in Liberia’s security architecture and border oversight,” the statement noted.
The LPCM called on authorities to prioritize dismantling trafficking networks, disrupting illicit financial flows, and strengthening security at all ports of entry, describing the issue as an urgent national security concern.
The movement also highlighted the devastating impact of narcotics on Liberia’s youth, warning that the spread of illegal drugs is fueling addiction, undermining education, reducing economic productivity, and contributing to rising levels of crime and social instability.
According to the group, the long-term consequences of drug abuse extend beyond individual users and threaten the future development of the country.
“The proliferation of illegal narcotics breeds addiction, devastates educational attainment and economic productivity, fuels violent crime, and tears apart families and communities,” the statement said. “These cumulative harms are robbing an entire generation of the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from Liberia’s future.”
Executive Chairperson of the Centrism Movement, Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala, called on President Joseph Boakai and the Government of Liberia to take stronger action against drug trafficking and substance abuse.
“Drug peddling and substance abuse have become a devastating scourge that is ravaging Liberian youth and systematically destroying their futures,” Gbala said. “President Boakai and the Government of Liberia must adopt far more aggressive and stringent measures to confront this crisis head-on. Half-measures and delayed action are no longer acceptable when the lives and livelihoods of our young people hang in the balance. The time for bold, coordinated, and sustained intervention is now.”
Beyond domestic concerns, the LPCM warned that the incident could negatively affect Liberia’s international image and economic prospects if the country is perceived as a transit hub for narcotics trafficking.
The movement said such perceptions could discourage foreign investment, strain diplomatic relations, and potentially trigger punitive actions from international partners, reversing years of development progress.
The statement also raised concerns about what it described as limited public disclosure surrounding the investigation. According to the LPCM, transparency is essential to maintaining public confidence and ensuring accountability.
“Citizens are rightfully demanding accountability, transparency, and swift justice,” the organization stated, adding that secrecy surrounding investigations of such magnitude risks eroding public trust and weakening efforts to prosecute those involved.
The movement argued that opaque processes can leave witnesses vulnerable to intimidation, undermine public cooperation, and embolden criminal networks.
To strengthen Liberia’s response to the growing drug threat, the LPCM urged President Boakai and his administration to take several immediate measures.
Among its recommendations, the organization called for an independent investigation with international assistance and a commitment to publicly release findings within a specified timeframe. It also advocated for enhanced security measures at Roberts International Airport and other ports of entry, including advanced detection technologies, specialized training for personnel, and stronger anti-corruption safeguards.
Additionally, the movement urged the government to work closely with international partners, including INTERPOL and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to investigate and prosecute those responsible, trace illicit financial networks, and ensure that any public officials found complicit are held accountable.
The LPCM further called for expanded drug prevention, treatment, and youth rehabilitation programs, as well as the establishment of an independent oversight mechanism involving civil society organizations and stronger protections for whistleblowers.
The organization said the seizure at Roberts International Airport should serve as a turning point in Liberia’s fight against drug trafficking.
“The seizure at Roberts International Airport must serve as an inflection point — the catalyst for comprehensive, lasting reform,” the statement concluded. “The Centrism Movement calls upon President Boakai and the Government of Liberia to act with urgency, transparency, and unwavering resolve to dismantle trafficking networks, protect Liberia’s youth, and preserve the nation’s hard-earned international standing.”
The LPCM reaffirmed its commitment to working with government institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners to address the growing challenge posed by narcotics trafficking and substance abuse in Liberia.
