Monrovia – The Federation of Liberian Youth has thrown its weight behind the Government of Liberia’s intensified crackdown on transnational drug trafficking, calling for sustained investigations, accountability and the dismantling of criminal networks operating in the country.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh [email protected]
FLY President Duku Jallah said the youth organization’s support for the government’s anti-drug campaign is “principled, not unconditional,” stressing that successful prosecution of the ongoing cases must extend beyond the seizure of narcotics and arrest of individual suspects.
Jallah was speaking as FLY outlined a series of measures aimed at mobilizing young people across Liberia to support the national fight against drug trafficking and participate in security and justice discussions.
In recent months, Liberia has witnessed major narcotics seizures, including the recovery of nearly four tons of cocaine in Duazon, Margibi County, reportedly valued at approximately US$317 million.
A separate shipment valued at approximately US$19.2 million was also intercepted at Roberts International Airport.
The developments have triggered administrative actions by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai involving senior security and airport officials implicated in the cases, while the Ministry of Justice has pledged to pursue drug traffickers and anyone found to have facilitated, protected or participated in the networks.
“FLY stands firmly with this national effort,” Jallah said.
According to him, the scale of the drug crisis requires an equally serious national response, particularly because young Liberians are among those most affected by the proliferation of kush and other dangerous substances across communities in all 15 counties.
“We, therefore, have a direct and urgent interest in ensuring that drug trafficking networks are identified, dismantled, and brought to justice,” he said.
‘Support, But Without Illusions’
While welcoming the government’s efforts, Jallah cautioned against declaring victory based solely on large drug seizures and public announcements.
He recalled Liberia’s approximately US$100 million cocaine seizure at the Freeport of Monrovia in 2022, saying the case generated significant public attention but left questions about whether the broader networks behind the shipment were adequately held accountable.
“Large seizures and press conferences are important, but they are not the final measure of success,” Jallah stated.
He argued that investigations must go beyond couriers and individual suspects to identify financiers, organizers, facilitators, protectors and public officials who may have enabled drug trafficking operations.
“Success must ultimately be measured by credible investigations, prosecutions, convictions where the evidence supports them, and the dismantling of the networks themselves,” he added.
Jallah said FLY welcomes the work of the Ministry of Justice and other law-enforcement institutions, noting that the organization has “no basis to doubt” the authorities’ stated commitment to pursuing the cases.
However, he emphasized that the youth organization will continue to demand transparency, independence, professionalism and tangible results.
“Our support is therefore principled, not unconditional,” Jallah noted.
FLY Calls on Youth to Join Anti-Drug Fight
FLY is calling on young people across all 15 counties to become active partners in the government’s fight against drug trafficking.
The organization is demanding transparency and due process in the handling of drug seizures, arrests, investigations and prosecutions, while urging authorities to ensure that investigations reach every level of trafficking networks.
The group is also calling for the continued protection of whistleblowers, witnesses and cooperating persons under Liberia’s Witness Protection Act of 2021.
Jallah said individuals who unlawfully expose or compromise the identities of witnesses should face appropriate consequences.
FLY is further urging authorities to insulate the investigations from political interference, insisting that no individual should be shielded from accountability because of political affiliation, wealth, social status, ethnicity or personal connections.
FLY Establishes Youth and Security Advisory Council
As part of its broader response, FLY announced the establishment of a National Youth and Security Advisory Council in partnership with the Ministry of Justice.
The council, according to Jallah, will bring together representatives of student organizations, political party youth leagues, peacebuilding organizations, faith-based youth groups, grassroots and informal-sector youth groups, civil society organizations and other youth constituencies.
It will provide a platform for young people to raise security and justice concerns, engage relevant government institutions, contribute to prevention efforts and promote accountability.
“Youth participation in national security and justice discussions must not begin only when a crisis makes the headlines,” Jallah said.
He said young people need a permanent and credible avenue through which they can engage institutions responsible for protecting them.
The council, he added, will serve as a bridge between Liberia’s young population and security and justice institutions, with the goal of ensuring that the current anti-drug campaign becomes a sustained national effort rather than a temporary response to a national scandal.
FLY, WPA Launch National Youth Hotline
FLY also announced the establishment of a dedicated national youth hotline in coordination with Liberia’s Witness Protection Agency (WPA).
The hotline is intended to provide young people and members of the public with a confidential channel to report credible information about drug trafficking networks, their activities, facilitators and related criminal conduct.
The platform will also allow citizens to raise concerns about the handling of drug-related cases, including the conduct of officials involved in the process.
“The hotline number he is 07762 27014? Jallah added.
According to him, information received through the hotline will be treated with strict confidentiality and, where applicable, in accordance with protections provided under Liberia’s Witness Protection.
He urged members of the public to use the platform responsibly, warning that false information, politically motivated accusations and deliberate attempts to undermine legitimate investigations would not serve the national interest.
‘Liberia Must Win This Fight’
Jallah described the fight against drug trafficking as another defining national challenge for Liberia, noting that the country has previously confronted major crises, including civil war, public-health emergencies and severe social and economic challenges.
He said Liberia’s success in the current fight would not be determined by the number of drug seizures or press conferences held, but by the country’s ability to identify and dismantle trafficking networks, protect whistleblowers and witnesses, prosecute those responsible and prevent the networks from rebuilding.
“FLY stands with the Liberian institutions and officials who are working honestly and professionally to confront this threat,” Jallah said.
He added: “We stand with the young people whose lives and communities are being affected by narcotics. And we stand for a Liberia in which no drug cartel, public official, businessman, political actor, or person of influence is above the law.”
Jallah stressed that the fight against drugs cannot be left to government alone.
“The fight against drugs is not the responsibility of government alone. It is a national fight, and Liberian youth must be part of winning it,” he said.
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