Joint Security Forces Take Over US$19 Million Drug Investigation

By Kruah Thompson

MONROVIA, June 17, 2026; Following mounting public pressure, Liberia’s Joint Security Forces have taken control over the ongoing investigation into the US$19 million cocaine seizure made at the Robert International Airport.

The drugs were intercepted on June 8, 2026, at Roberts International Airport (RIA) during a joint security operation. Intelligence alerted LDEA agents to a shipment containing approximately 237.6 kilograms of cocaine concealed in 198 cargo boxes, which were being prepared for export to Europe via Brussels Airlines.

A day after the seizure, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) confirmed that six suspects had been arrested in connection with the case.

However, the agency initially withheld their identities, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

The case has since attracted significant public attention, with some Liberians questioning why additional details, including the identities of those arrested, have not been made public as quickly as in previous high-profile drug cases, including that of rapper Bucky Raw.

Bucky Raw was arrested by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) on December 12, 2025, during an early morning raid on his residence on Duport Road in Monrovia. The LDEA said officers were executing a court-approved search warrant and seized 31.6 grams of marijuana during the operation.

The arrest sparked public debate, with some supporters alleging that the operation was politically motivated because of the artist’s perceived support for the administration of former President George Weah.

However, critics of the government’s handling of the ongoing US$19 million cocaine case argue that authorities have applied a different level of transparency in the two cases, citing the limited information released so far about those linked to the recent drug seizure.

Speaking Tuesday at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing, Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah dismissed these claims, emphasizing that the current case differs significantly from the musicians’ case and that the investigation is now under the purview of the country’s Joint Security Forces due to its links to an international criminal network.

According to the minister, the case extends beyond the LDEA and now includes several security institutions working alongside international partners to determine who was responsible for the shipment and where the drugs originated.

He urged the public to allow investigators to carry out their work and avoid drawing conclusions while the investigation remains ongoing.

Piah also rejected claims that the government is using the case for political purposes. He said the Joint Security Forces are focused on conducting a professional investigation and gathering evidence that can stand up in court.

“The President cannot be everywhere at all times, which is why he appoints ministers and other officials to carry out specific responsibilities.

The same principle applies to the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency. Because this matter has now been elevated to the National Security Council, it involves not only the LDEA but also the Liberia National Police, the Liberia Immigration Service, the Ministry of Justice, and other security institutions, along with international partners who are assisting in the investigation.”

The minister noted that drug trafficking is a transnational crime requiring cooperation between Liberia and international partners. He added that the seizure represents one of the largest drug busts in Liberia in recent years and has raised concerns about the nation’s potential role as a transit point for international drug traffickers.

Meanwhile, Piah reiterated that the investigation is ongoing and assured the public that additional information will be released as it becomes available. He called on citizens to refrain from politicizing the case.