IG Coleman Vows to Follow the Evidence

By Stephen G. Fellajuah

Monrovia, Liberia, August 7, 2026 – Inspector General of Police Gregory O.W. Coleman has vowed that all cases arising from Liberia’s major cocaine seizures will be pursued based on credible evidence, due process, and lawful authority, stressing that no individual, network, or organization is above the law.

In an official Facebook post, Coleman said criminal organizations will no longer find safe haven in Liberia, warning that such groups thrive only where fear, silence, and weak institutions exist.

He assured that the Liberia National Police (LNP) remains committed to enforcing the law and will not be intimidated, distracted, or deterred in its fight against organized crime.

The Police IG also defended the handling of the ongoing investigations, emphasizing that the institution’s loyalty remains with the rule of law rather than political interests or public opinion.

“Our commitment is not to personalities, political interests, or public applause. It is to the Constitution, the laws of Liberia, and the safety and security of the Liberian people,” Coleman wrote.

He said the LNP will continue to identify and dismantle narcotics networks, protect communities, strengthen cooperation with national and international partners, and ensure that those responsible are brought before the courts.

Coleman stressed that Liberia’s fight against organized crime cannot be won through intimidation, speculation, or political rhetoric.

Coleman’s remarks come amid growing public debate and criticism following Liberia’s two record-breaking cocaine seizures, the US$19 million drug bust at Roberts International Airport on June 8, 2026, and the historic US$317 million cocaine seizure in Duazon, Margibi County, on July 21, 2026.

The first operation resulted in the interception of 237.6 kilograms of cocaine valued at approximately US$19 million at Roberts International Airport. Police said the shipment originated from Sierra Leone and was destined for the United Kingdom.

More than a month later, Liberian security agencies uncovered 3,971 kilograms of cocaine valued at an estimated US$317 million at a residence in Duazon, Margibi County, in what authorities described as the largest cocaine seizure in Liberia’s history.

Two foreign nationals were arrested as investigators pursued what they described as a sophisticated transnational drug trafficking network.

Despite the successful operations, Coleman has faced mounting scrutiny from some politicians, commentators, and members of the public over issues including the timing of official disclosures, demands for greater transparency, allegations of possible political influence, and concerns over conflicting public statements by security officials.

Some critics argued that authorities failed to provide sufficient details at the early stages of the investigations, fueling speculation and conspiracy theories.

Others called on the police to identify any Liberian officials or security personnel allegedly linked to the drug networks and ensure that the investigations are conducted openly and transparently.

Questions were also raised about whether the investigations would reach influential individuals if evidence implicated them, prompting calls from some quarters for an independent inquiry.

Coleman also attracted criticism after describing a viral video allegedly linked to international drug cartels as staged, while other security officials appeared to treat the threats more seriously, raising concerns about the consistency of the government’s response.

However, Coleman has maintained that the Liberia National Police is guided by evidence rather than politics.

He said current and former public officials, as well as police officers, remain subject to investigation wherever credible evidence exists. He also disclosed that international partners, including the United States, are assisting with aspects of the ongoing investigations.

The destruction of both cocaine consignments, according to Coleman, was intended to confirm the authenticity of the narcotics and demonstrate that Liberia will not become a safe haven for international drug traffickers.