MONROVIA, August 25, 2026 — The Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) has called for calm, impartial investigations and respect for due process in ongoing drug cases, warning Liberians against allowing the fight against narcotics to become another source of political and social division.
In a statement, the Council urged Liberians to allow the relevant authorities to conduct their investigations without interference while ensuring that the constitutional and legal rights of accused persons are protected.
“Let investigations be thorough and impartial. Let arrests be lawful, let prosecutions proceed without fear or favor, and let the due-process rights of every accused person be fully protected,” the LCC said.
The religious body stressed that no individual should be condemned solely on the basis of an accusation, but said political affiliation, wealth, social status, public office or personal connections should not shield anyone from the law.
“No individual should be condemned merely on the basis of accusation. At the same time, no person, regardless of political affiliation, social status, wealth, position, or connections, should be above the law,” the statement said.
The LCC said Liberia’s growing drug problem affects citizens across political, ethnic, religious and social lines and should therefore unite the country rather than deepen existing divisions.
“The drug crisis threatens every Liberian, regardless of tribe, county, religion, class, political affiliation, or social standing. It must therefore become a point of national unity rather than another source of division,” the Council said.
The LCC also expressed alarm over what it described as an escalating national drug crisis following two major cocaine seizures between June and July 2026.
“Liberia is facing an escalating national drug crisis, underscored by the discovery of two massive consignments of illegal drugs — reportedly valued at US$19 million and US$317 million between June and July 2026,” the statement said.
According to the Council, the scale of the seizures raises concerns about the possible operation of an organized drug-trafficking network or criminal syndicate in Liberia.
“These seizures, involving the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), the Liberia National Police (LNP), the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), and other security agencies, point to the disturbing possibility of a well-organized drug trafficking network or criminal syndicate operating within our borders,” it said.
Liberian authorities seized 237.6 kilograms of cocaine, valued at approximately US$19.2 million, at Roberts International Airport in June.
A second major operation on July 21 resulted in the seizure of approximately 3,971 kilograms of cocaine in Duazon, Margibi County. Authorities valued the drugs at approximately US$317 million.
The government has treated the two seizures as separate investigations.
The Council said Liberians have for years witnessed the damaging effects of substance abuse on individuals, families and communities, particularly young people.
It called on Liberians and the wider interreligious community to pray for victims of substance abuse, especially young people whose lives and futures are being affected by addiction and drug-related violence.
The LCC said the fight against illicit drugs should be pursued firmly but within the rule of law, with justice applied equally to all persons.
