MONROVIA— Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh has vowed that the Government of Liberia will intensify its fight against drug trafficking, warning that criminal networks seeking to profit from narcotics will not defeat the Liberian State.
By J.H. Webster [email protected]
Speaking Wednesday, August 26 at the re launch of the Edward Wilmot Blyden Intellectual Discourse at the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) Headquarters in Sinkor, Monrovia, Minister Tweh said Liberia’s response to drug trafficking must be anchored in strong institutions, accountability, credible evidence and respect for the rule of law.
The discourse was held under the theme: “Confronting Drug Trafficking: Strengthening Institutions, Advancing Accountability and Safeguarding the Rule of Law.”
Minister Tweh commended the PUL for reviving the intellectual discourse and said the choice of Edward Wilmot Blyden’s name was particularly appropriate because of Blyden’s contributions to Liberia’s intellectual, political and institutional development.
He described Blyden as a scholar, Pan-Africanist, diplomat, educator, journalist and public servant who used scholarship, public service and the press to challenge systems that sought to undermine the dignity and independence of African people.
According to Minister Tweh, the fight against drugs is similarly a fight for Liberia’s freedom and future because narcotics destroy young lives, weaken families, corrupt institutions and finance criminal networks.
“A country that allows drugs and drug money to capture its communities and institutions cannot claim to be fully free,” he said.
The Justice Minister also praised the Liberian media for reporting drug seizures, raising public concerns and sustaining national discussions about the country’s growing narcotics problem.
He stressed, however, that journalism must be accompanied by responsibility, noting that information should enlighten rather than inflame public sentiment.
Minister Tweh said journalists have the right and duty to ask difficult questions, while government has a corresponding responsibility to provide honest answers and accept public scrutiny.
Gov’t Highlights Major Drug Seizures
The Justice Minister cited several major drug enforcement operations as evidence of the government’s ongoing efforts to combat narcotics trafficking. He said the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) seized more than 400 kilograms of illegal narcotics and arrested over 200 suspects during the first quarter of 2026.
He further disclosed that approximately 237 kilograms of cocaine were intercepted at Roberts International Airport in June, followed by the discovery of nearly four tons of cocaine in Duazon.
According to him, the Duazon seizure represented the largest narcotics seizure in Liberia’s history. He noted that more than US$336 million worth of the seized cocaine was destroyed in Margibi County at the end of July in full public view.
“These are not slogans. These are concrete actions,” Minister Tweh declared.
He attributed the operations to coordinated efforts involving the LDEA, Liberia National Police, Ministry of Justice prosecutors, investigators, security personnel and other national security institutions.
Minister Tweh said the government has drawn a clear line between the Liberian State and drug cartels, insisting that there will be “no accommodation with criminality.”
“Drug traffickers may challenge the authority of the State, but they will not defeat it. The Republic of Liberia will prevail, not through vengeance or political persecution, but through strong institutions, credible evidence, due process, and the unwavering enforcement of the law,” he intimated.
‘No One Will Be Protected’
The Justice Minister stressed that the government’s responsibility extends beyond the seizure of narcotics and arrest of suspected couriers and low-level dealers.
He said investigations must identify the financiers, facilitators and other powerful actors who enable drug trafficking networks to operate.
“If the evidence leads to a customs officer, a security officer, a businessman, a politician or any other person, the law must be allowed to take its course,” Minister Tweh said.
He assured that no individual would be protected because of influence, friendship, wealth or political connections.
At the same time, Minister Tweh cautioned against convicting individuals in the court of public opinion based solely on allegations circulating on radio, social media or political platforms.
“The Government will not fight lawlessness by abandoning the law. Our cases must be built on evidence, tested in court and determined through due process,” he emphasized.
Rejects Political Criticism
Minister Tweh also criticized what he described as attempts by some critics to view every government action through a political lens.
He argued that while the government welcomes criticism, criticism should not become an unwillingness to acknowledge concrete progress.
He maintained that Liberia’s drug problem did not begin with the current administration and would not disappear overnight, but said the historical record would show whether the government confronted the crisis or ignored it.
According to him, the recent seizures, arrests, investigations and coordinated law enforcement operations demonstrate that the government is taking action.
However, the Justice Minister acknowledged that major drug seizures also expose vulnerabilities within Liberia’s institutions.
He pointed out that the government must investigate how narcotics move through handling, screening and transportation processes and identify possible cases of corruption or facilitation.
He called for stronger screening systems, improved intelligence gathering, enhanced coordination among law enforcement agencies and investigations aimed at dismantling criminal networks rather than merely interrupting their operations.
‘Rule of Law Cuts in Every Direction’
The Justice Minister emphasized that the rule of law must protect both the authority of the State and the rights of individuals accused of wrongdoing.
“The rule of law cuts in every direction,” he averred, explaining that it gives the State the authority to investigate and prosecute while protecting accused persons from arbitrary action.
He indicated that the same principle protects journalists who question government and citizens who demand accountability.
“If we weaken due process in the name of fighting drugs, we weaken the very Republic we claim to defend,” Minister Tweh warned.
He said Liberia’s response must therefore be effective, lawful, fair and unwavering.
Reflecting on Blyden’s legacy, Minister Tweh noted that nations are not strengthened by rhetoric alone but through courageous citizens who build institutions, discipline public power, educate the public and protect the country’s future.
He identified drug trafficking, corruption, institutional weakness, indifference and deliberate distortion of facts as threats to Liberia’s future.
Minister Tweh concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to confronting drug trafficking and strengthening Liberia’s justice and law enforcement institutions.
“We did not choose this threat. But we must choose our response,” he said.
“Liberia will confront drug trafficking, strengthen its institutions, advance accountability and safeguard the rule of law,” he added.
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