Washington, D.C.The Panoramic Justice Group has called on the United States Congress to convene a congressional hearing into Liberia’s escalating cocaine-trafficking crisis, including allegations that elements of the country’s security institutions may have been compromised by transnational criminal organizations.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh
In an August 24 letter to U.S. Congressman Christopher H. Smith, the Washington-based group through its Executive Director D. Garkpe Gedepoh, said the scale of Liberia’s recent cocaine seizures raises questions that go beyond the individuals accused of transporting or possessing the narcotics.
The group cited two major seizures in Liberia in 2026: approximately 237.6 kilograms of cocaine reportedly valued at more than US$19 million intercepted at Roberts International Airport, followed roughly six weeks later by the recovery of approximately 3,971 kilograms—nearly four metric tons—valued at about US$317 million in Duazon.
According to the organization, the size and proximity of the seizures suggest the possible involvement of sophisticated international networks with access to substantial financing, transportation, communications, storage and security.
“The central question is therefore not merely who physically handled the cocaine, but who financed, organized, owned, protected, and intended to profit from these shipments,” the group said.
Questions Over Security Institutions
The Panoramic Justice Group pointed to publicly reported allegations and government actions involving individuals associated with several Liberian security and law-enforcement institutions.
It said personnel reportedly implicated, charged, dismissed, suspended or investigated have included individuals associated with the Liberia National Police, National Security Agency, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, Roberts International Airport, criminal investigations and intelligence, INTERPOL and highway patrol.
The organization emphasized that allegations do not establish criminal guilt and urged Congress not to prejudge any individual.
However, it argued that the accumulation of allegations raises a broader institutional question over whether transnational narcotics organizations have penetrated parts of Liberia’s security apparatus and, if so, how extensive such penetration may be.
Maritime Routes Under Scrutiny
The group also highlighted the reported Royesville investigation, in which prosecutors have alleged that fishing operations and maritime routes were used to bring cocaine ashore from the Atlantic.
It said the allegations warrant closer scrutiny of whether trafficking networks are exploiting Liberia’s coastline, fishing industry, ports, airports and security corridors to facilitate the movement of narcotics.
The organization further referenced earlier public allegations by former Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency Deputy Director General for Administration Gwee K. Porkpah, who had alleged the involvement of senior government officials in Liberia’s illicit drug trade.
Porkpah and other senior LDEA officials were subsequently dismissed for stated administrative reasons.
“Whether his allegations were true or false, Congress should ask whether they were subjected to a credible independent investigation and what findings resulted,” the group said.
U.S. Interests at Stake
The Panoramic Justice Group argued that the United States has a legitimate oversight interest because of its substantial investment in Liberia’s democratic institutions, security sector, border management, rule of law and economic development.
It urged Congress to determine whether U.S.-supported institutions have been exposed to exploitation or penetration by transnational criminal organizations.
The group also called for scrutiny of any potential U.S. financial or operational nexus, including whether drug proceeds or related transactions moved through U.S. banks or correspondent banking systems.
It urged U.S. authorities to examine whether U.S.-dollar transactions, companies, financial accounts, communications systems or individuals were involved in the trafficking networks and whether U.S.-funded equipment, training or assistance may have benefited compromised institutions or personnel.
Call for Congressional Hearing
The Panoramic Justice Group is asking an appropriate House committee or subcommittee to convene a hearing and receive testimony from representatives of the U.S. Department of State, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice, FBI, Department of Homeland Security and Department of the Treasury, as well as regional experts and credible Liberian civil-society representatives.
Beyond a congressional hearing, the group proposed three parallel responses.
First, it called for an independent international investigation capable of tracing the drugs, money, businesses, communications, beneficial ownership, security connections and chain of command.
Second, it proposed an independent Liberian citizens commission to strengthen public confidence and promote institutional accountability.
Third, it called for a comprehensive integrity review of Liberia’s security sector, including the police, narcotics enforcement, intelligence, immigration, customs, airport and maritime institutions.
Where evidence establishes a U.S. connection, the organization said American authorities should consider financial investigations, asset tracing, money-laundering inquiries and other lawful measures, including targeted sanctions or visa restrictions where applicable legal requirements are met.
‘Follow the Drugs. Follow the Money.’
The group stressed that its appeal was not based on a presumption of guilt.
“We are not asking Congress to presume that allegations are true or that any individual is guilty,” it said. “We are asking Congress to ensure that extraordinary narcotics seizures involving hundreds of millions of dollars receive credible, independent scrutiny extending beyond couriers and operational-level participants to the financiers, organizers, beneficial owners, money launderers, security facilitators, and others who may stand behind them.”
The organization concluded its appeal with a call for investigators to broaden the scope of the inquiry:
“Follow the drugs. Follow the money. Follow the businesses. Follow the communications. Follow the security connections. Follow the chain of command.”
The Panoramic Justice Group said the magnitude of Liberia’s cocaine seizures, allegations involving security personnel and the scale of U.S. investment in Liberia’s institutions justify congressional scrutiny and a broader U.S. government inquiry.
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