Cocaine worth $370m seized in Liberia's biggest-ever drugs bust

Cocaine valued at over $370 million was seized in Liberia’s largest-ever drugs bust during a raid on a suspected illegal storage facility near the capital, Monrovia. The operation took place in Duazon, a town approximately 20 kilometers east of Monrovia, and resulted in the arrest of several individuals, including two foreigners and multiple Liberians. Police confirmed the substance tested positive for cocaine, marking a significant breakthrough in efforts to combat drug trafficking in the country. The raid occurred on Tuesday following months of surveillance targeting suspected drug-trafficking networks. According to police chief Gregory Coleman, the operation was part of a long-running investigation that began around 2018, when there was a resurgence of major trafficking and transiting activities in Liberia. “Over the last one-and-a-half years, we’ve been surveilling them and this is the result of that operation,” Coleman explained. He noted that the drugs were “tested and confirmed” to be cocaine, with an estimated street value exceeding $370 million. During the raid, investigators discovered numerous sealed suitcases and boxes within a lorry, which they believe contained high-grade cocaine. Videos and photographs released by police showcased the scale of the seizure. Coleman revealed that one of the arrested foreigners carried both a Spanish and a Colombian passport, while the other held a Serbian passport. No formal charges have been announced against those detained so far. Liberian Vice-President Jeremiah Koung commended the security forces for their work, stating that anyone found guilty will face the full force of the law, regardless of their status. The operation in Duazon followed another notable seizure earlier this year at Roberts International Airport, where six cargo boxes were intercepted. These boxes, initially declared to contain food seasoning and textiles, were found to hold nearly 200 compressed blocks of cocaine intended for export. That airport seizure triggered political controversy, with critics accusing authorities of delayed action, allowing some suspects to flee the country before arrests could be made. In response, President Joseph Boakai ordered a joint investigation involving the police and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA). Several suspects have already been charged, and international arrest warrants are being sought for those still at large. West Africa has long served as a critical transit route for cocaine moving from South America to Europe, leveraging its porous borders and limited law enforcement capacity. According to the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime, at least 30% of cocaine bound for Europe now passes through the region. Local consumption, particularly of crack cocaine, has also risen. The organization reports that cocaine seizures in West Africa have increased steadily since 2019, reaching about 30 tonnes in 2025. The United Nations has raised alarms about the escalating threat posed by drug-trafficking networks in the region, highlighting the increasing sophistication of operations led by drug cartels as a matter of significant concern. Liberia has witnessed several high-profile seizures in recent years, such as the 520-kilogram cocaine haul intercepted at Monrovia’s seaport in 2022. Since assuming office in 2024, President Boakai has frequently reshuffled the leadership of the country’s drug enforcement agency, reflecting the mounting pressure on his administration to address the crisis effectively. The latest seizure underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in curbing the flow of illicit narcotics through the region.