President of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), Ernest Duku Jallah, has called for equal justice and greater transparency in the ongoing investigation into Liberia’s US$19.2 million cocaine case, warning that the country’s largest youth organization will organize a peaceful sit-in at the headquarters of the Liberia National Police if authorities fail to demonstrate meaningful progress in the coming weeks.
In a strongly worded statement issued Thursday, Jallah said FLY supports the Liberian Senate’s decision to hold a public hearing on the high-profile narcotics case but expressed deep concern over what the organization described as the slow pace of the investigation and growing public perception that not all suspects are being treated equally under the law.
“The Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), the statutory national youth council of Liberia, commends the Honorable Liberian Senate for convening a public hearing in which the Joint National Security provided updates to the Liberian people regarding the ongoing investigation into the reported US$19.2 million cocaine case,” the statement said.
FLY praised the Senate for fulfilling its constitutional oversight responsibility by demanding accountability from the country’s security institutions.
“We commend the Senate for exercising its constitutional oversight responsibility and responding to the public’s demand for transparency and accountability.”
Despite acknowledging the work undertaken by the Joint Security, the organization said it remains troubled by the pace of the investigation and questions surrounding whether every individual connected to the case is receiving equal scrutiny.
“We acknowledge the efforts of the Joint Security institutions thus far. However, we remain deeply concerned about the pace of the investigation and the concerns raised regarding whether all persons of interest are being subjected to equal scrutiny under the law.”
Jallah stressed that Liberia’s youth expect the investigation to be conducted fairly and without political influence, emphasizing that no individual should be shielded from accountability.
“The young people of Liberia deserve equal justice,” the statement declared.
“If this investigation is intended to dismantle the criminal networks responsible for the importation and attempted exportation of approximately 237 kilograms of cocaine, then every person identified through credible investigative evidence must be treated equally under the law. There must be no selective justice, no sacred cows, and no individual above accountability.”
The youth organization specifically referenced Michael Browne, whose name emerged during the recent Senate hearing as a person linked to the investigation.
“During the public hearing and in subsequent public discussions, Mr. Michael Browne has been referenced in connection with this investigation. We therefore believe the Liberian people deserve clarity on whether all lawful and appropriate investigative steps have been taken with respect to Mr. Michael Browne and all other persons of interest.”
According to FLY, restoring public confidence requires investigators to pursue every credible lead “thoroughly, professionally, and without fear or favor.”
The statement also questioned the performance and independence of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), saying the agency must demonstrate stronger leadership in combating narcotics trafficking.
“We are equally concerned by the current posture of the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA),” the statement noted.
“As the statutory institution mandated to lead the fight against drug trafficking, the LDEA must demonstrate full independence, professionalism, and operational effectiveness.”
FLY argued that growing public perception that the anti-drug agency is operating under the influence of other security institutions is damaging its credibility.
“The perception that the LDEA is functioning in a manner that suggests subordination to other security institutions is deeply troubling and undermines public confidence in Liberia’s anti-drug response.”
The organization said Liberia urgently needs “a strong, independent, and decisive anti-drug agency capable of delivering results and restoring public trust.”
Jallah further called on the agency’s leadership to prove it can effectively lead the fight against illicit drugs.
“We therefore call upon the leadership of the LDEA to demonstrate visible leadership, institutional independence and effectiveness in line with its statutory mandate.”
He warned that if the current leadership cannot effectively respond to the national drug crisis, it should step aside.
“If the current leadership is unable to meet the demands of this national crisis, then it must make way for leadership that can restore confidence and deliver results.”
The Federation also urged stronger collaboration among Liberia’s security institutions while calling on the Joint National Security to provide regular updates to the public regarding the investigation.
“We also call on the relevant national security institutions to ensure stronger coordination, professionalism, and transparency in handling this investigation.”
The statement further urged investigators to publicly disclose the progress made in the coming weeks.
“We further urge the Joint National Security to provide the Liberian people with a comprehensive public update in the coming weeks outlining the lawful steps taken to advance this investigation, including the status of all persons of interest referenced in connection with the case.”
Jallah said the Federation decided to become actively involved because young Liberians continue to suffer the devastating consequences of drug abuse.
“The Federation of Liberian Youth is assuming leadership on this national issue because it is the young people of Liberia who are bearing its greatest burden.”
“Every day, drugs destroy the dreams, health, and future of our generation. We are losing classmates, friends, siblings, and future leaders to a crisis that can no longer be met with routine responses.”
He said, as Liberia’s statutory youth body, FLY has both a moral and legal responsibility to advocate for stronger national action against illicit drugs.
“As the statutory voice of Liberia’s youth, we have a responsibility to speak and to act.”
“We will continue to lead the national conversation on the fight against illicit drugs, mobilize young people, engage state institutions, and pursue peaceful and lawful civic action until this crisis receives the urgency, transparency, and accountability it demands.”
While expressing confidence in Liberia’s institutions, FLY warned that patience among young people is wearing thin.
“We are trusting the institutions of our Republic to do their duty. But trust must be matched by action.”
The organization announced plans to organize a peaceful demonstration if authorities fail to produce measurable progress within weeks.
“If meaningful and verifiable progress is not made in the coming weeks, we will peacefully mobilize young people for a sit-in at the headquarters of the Liberia National Police.”
According to Jallah, the protest will remain peaceful and lawful.
“Our demonstration will remain peaceful, orderly, and lawful, and will continue until the Liberian people are presented with clear evidence that meaningful progress is being made in this investigation.”
The Federation concluded by describing Liberia’s growing drug crisis as an existential threat to the country’s future, urging authorities to respond with urgency.
“This is about protecting a generation. We are losing too many young Liberians to illicit drugs, and we refuse to stand by while our future is destroyed.”
“The young people of Liberia deserve institutions that act with urgency, integrity, and courage.”
Jallah reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to peaceful civic engagement and the rule of law while pledging to work with state institutions committed to dismantling drug trafficking networks.
“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the rule of law, peaceful civic engagement, and equal justice. We stand ready to work with every institution genuinely committed to dismantling drug trafficking networks and safeguarding the future of Liberia’s young people.”
“The time for decisive action is now.”
The statement comes amid mounting public pressure following the Senate’s ongoing inquiry into the reported US$19.2 million cocaine seizure, one of Liberia’s largest narcotics cases, which has sparked nationwide calls for accountability, equal justice, and stronger enforcement against transnational drug trafficking networks.
