By Kruah Thompson
MONROVIA, Liberia, July 31, 2026 – The Liberian government, through the Joint Security Forces, on Thursday destroyed more than US$336 million worth of seized cocaine, including the US$19 million shipment intercepted at Roberts International Airport (RIA) in June and the US$317 million consignment confiscated in Duazon, Margibi County, despite ongoing investigations into both cases.
The narcotics were destroyed on July 30 in Zeewhorr, Margibi County, in the presence of senior government officials, including Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, Executive Protection Service Director Sam Gaye, and members of the Joint National Security Investigative Team.
Earlier on Thursday, the Joint National Security Investigative Team, headed by Attorney General Tweh, provided an update on the country’s anti-narcotics operations during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing.
The team said the destruction was carried out with the approval of the Ministry of Justice and the court. Authorities said representative samples of the cocaine were preserved for use as evidence during the prosecution of suspects.
The first shipment, valued at approximately US$19 million, was intercepted on June 8, 2026, at Roberts International Airport after security officers discovered 237.6 kilograms of cocaine concealed in cargo. The seizure prompted the government to establish the Joint National Security Investigative Team to identify those responsible for the trafficking operation.
While that investigation was still underway, security forces uncovered a second and significantly larger shipment during a July 21 raid on a warehouse in Duazon, Margibi County. Authorities seized 3,971 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of US$317 million.
The Duazon operation led to the arrest of two foreign nationals—a Colombian and a Spanish citizen—as well as several Liberians identified as persons of interest.
Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman said the investigation has since expanded to include several members of Liberia’s security services.
He disclosed that Commissioner of Police for Crime Services Johnny Dean admitted receiving a US$10,000 bribe linked to the drug investigation, resulting in his dismissal. Coleman added that other officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) are also under investigation.
Providing a further update during Thursday’s briefing, Coleman said investigators continue to identify additional suspects.
“Every minute of the investigation, new names are coming in,” Coleman said. “It would be premature to disclose the identities of everyone being investigated because doing so could compromise the inquiry.”
He confirmed that additional security personnel and other persons of interest are being investigated for alleged links to the suspected drug trafficking network.
Coleman also announced that the Joint Security Forces, working in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), had proceeded with the destruction of the seized cocaine.
The destruction of the narcotics before the completion of investigations and the commencement of criminal trials marks a departure from Liberia’s traditional practice.
Historically, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency has retained seized narcotics until investigations and court proceedings are concluded before authorizing their destruction, which has often been carried out during activities commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (World Drug Day).
Although government officials said sufficient samples were retained for evidentiary purposes, the Joint National Security Investigative Team did not publicly explain why the more than US$336 million worth of cocaine was destroyed before investigations were concluded and before the cases proceeded to trial.
