By Lincoln G. Peters
Monrovia, July 3, 2026: The Liberia Peacebuilding Office (PBO) has expressed grave concern over the growing threat of narcotics trafficking and drug abuse in Liberia, warning that the recent US$19.2 million cocaine seizure at Roberts International Airport (RIA) poses a direct threat to the government’s ARREST Agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) Outcome 2 on Governance, Rule of Law, and Social Cohesion.
In a statement issued Thursday, July 2, 2026, and signed by Executive Director Sheikh S. S. Kamara, the PBO said what was once considered an urban problem has evolved into a national peace and security challenge affecting every county, community, and family.
The office noted that illicit drug trafficking extends beyond individual health consequences, warning that it weakens the social fabric, fuels violence, undermines youth development, and erodes confidence in public institutions.
“Young men and women who should be building Liberia are instead trapped in addiction, unable to work, learn, or lead,” the statement said. “Drug money corrupts local institutions, compromises community security, and erodes trust between citizens and state actors. This directly threatens the ARREST Agenda and UNSDCF Outcome 2 on Governance, Rule of Law and Social Cohesion.”
The PBO urged the Government, through the Joint Security, to handle the investigation with transparency, cautioning that public confidence will depend more on the integrity of the process than the outcome of the case.
Among its recommendations, the office called for the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) and the Ministry of Justice to serve as the sole official sources of information on the investigation to prevent conflicting public statements and misinformation.
It also recommended regular public briefings, even if there are no major developments, warning that information gaps create opportunities for rumors and speculation.
The PBO further advised authorities to avoid repeatedly citing the estimated value of the drugs until forensic examinations and court proceedings confirm the quantity, value, and chain of custody.
To preserve national unity, the office cautioned against politicizing the case or associating it with any political party or social group, emphasizing that drug trafficking is a criminal matter rather than a political issue.
It also called on the government to work with the Ministry of Information and civil society organizations to counter hate speech, misinformation, and conspiracy theories circulating on social media.
The office stressed that Liberians are closely watching how the investigation is conducted and warned that a transparent, lawful, and impartial process could strengthen public confidence in state institutions, while an opaque or politically influenced investigation could deepen public distrust and weaken social cohesion.
The PBO also called for a speedy but fair trial, insisting that due process must be respected. It urged authorities to ensure that any public official found complicit is prosecuted without favoritism and recommended transparent cooperation with international law enforcement agencies, including INTERPOL, if the investigation reveals transnational links.
According to the office, equal accountability, institutional integrity, and adherence to the rule of law remain essential to preserving public trust and national peace.
