Liberia’s reported seizure of 3,971 kilograms of cocaine worth about $370 million has exposed deep failures in the country’s security apparatus and may point to corruption or official assistance, according to STAND, an advocacy group led by Mulbah K. Morlu Jr.
In a statement, STAND said the haul, nearly 4.4 tons, represents a national emergency and underscored the risk that transnational trafficking networks are using Liberia as a transit point. The group called for an independent international investigation involving foreign law-enforcement agencies and anti-narcotics experts.
A shipment of that size could not have moved through Liberia without access to ports, customs, transport and storage, STAND said, adding that investigators should examine whether security personnel, government officials, political figures or private-sector actors enabled, protected or profited from the operation.
The group also warned the seizure may be only part of a broader flow of narcotics through the country, saying large cartels often split shipments across locations to limit losses if one cache is discovered.
“This should alarm every citizen,” Morlu said in the statement, arguing the cocaine bust was large enough to distort a small economy, weaken state institutions and push Liberia closer to becoming a narco-state if authorities fail to act decisively.
STAND urged President Joseph Boakai’s administration to ensure accountability, including suspending and prosecuting any official found to have participated in or obstructed drug-trafficking probes. It also pressed authorities to resolve a separate July 8 cocaine case involving $19 million worth of drugs, saying the alleged masterminds have yet to be identified or charged.
The group called on the legislature, judiciary, civil society, religious leaders and international partners to respond with urgency, saying Liberia must not become a safe haven for drug cartels.
