MONROVIA — The Liberia Political Centrism Movement (LPCM) has called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the Government of Liberia (GoL) to launch an independent and transparent investigation into the recent seizure of cocaine at Roberts International Airport (RIA), warning that the incident exposes serious weaknesses in the country’s security and border control systems.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
In a statement issued Monday, June 15, the movement described the seizure of cocaine, valued at approximately US$19.2 million, as evidence of an organized transnational drug trafficking network operating through Liberia’s entry points.
While commending law enforcement officers whose efforts led to the interception of the narcotics, the LPCM said the discovery should serve as a wake-up call for the government to strengthen national security and combat the growing threat posed by illegal drugs.
“The gravity of this matter demands nothing less than a comprehensive, transparent, and urgently executed national response,” the statement said.
According to the movement, the size of the shipment suggests that sophisticated criminal organizations are exploiting vulnerabilities within Liberia’s security architecture and border management systems.
The LPCM warned that the increasing flow of narcotics poses a significant threat to Liberia’s youth, arguing that drug abuse contributes to addiction, crime, poor educational outcomes, unemployment, and the breakdown of families and communities.
Executive Chairperson Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala urged the government to intensify efforts to combat the country’s drug crisis.
“Drug peddling and substance abuse have become a devastating scourge that is ravaging Liberian youth and systematically destroying their futures. President Boakai and the Government of Liberia must adopt far more aggressive and stringent measures to confront this crisis head-on. Half-measures and delayed action are no longer acceptable when the lives and livelihoods of our young people hang in the balance. The time for bold, coordinated, and sustained intervention is now,” Cllr. Gbala said.
The movement further cautioned that the incident could damage Liberia’s international reputation if the country is perceived as a transit point for narcotics trafficking.
It argued that such a perception could discourage foreign investment, strain diplomatic relations, and undermine development gains achieved in recent years.
The LPCM also expressed concern over what it described as limited public disclosure regarding the investigation, saying greater transparency is necessary to maintain public confidence in the government’s response.
According to the movement, accountability and openness are essential to ensuring successful prosecutions and preventing traffickers from operating with impunity.
Among its recommendations, the LPCM called for an internationally assisted independent investigation with publicly released findings, strengthened security measures at Roberts International Airport and other ports of entry, closer collaboration with international law enforcement agencies, and expanded investment in drug prevention, treatment, and youth rehabilitation programs.
The group also advocated for stronger anti-corruption safeguards, enhanced border surveillance technology, public awareness campaigns, whistleblower protections, and an independent oversight mechanism involving civil society organizations.
The movement said the seizure should become a turning point in Liberia’s fight against drug trafficking rather than an isolated law enforcement success.
“The seizure at Roberts International Airport must serve as an inflection point—the catalyst for comprehensive, lasting reform,” the statement said.
Among other things, the LPCM reaffirmed its willingness to work with the government, civil society organizations, and international partners to strengthen Liberia’s response to narcotics trafficking and protect the country’s future.
