Liberija zaplijenila rekordnu količinu kokaina blizu Monrovije, kažu dužnosnici

Liberia’s national police force announced Monday that officers seized what they claim is the country’s largest-ever cocaine bust, with an estimated value of $370 million on the black market. The operation took place near the capital, Monrovia, in the town of Duazon, approximately 20 kilometers east of the city. Authorities revealed images and footage of dozens of sealed suitcases and boxes loaded onto a truck, which contained the illicit narcotics. Police Chief Gregory Coleman confirmed that forensic analysis verified the substance as cocaine, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking. The raid resulted in the arrest of several individuals, including two foreigners and multiple Liberians. While no formal charges have been filed yet, Coleman emphasized that the operation was the culmination of a prolonged investigation targeting a trafficking network that had been active in Liberia between 2018 and 2023. Law enforcement agencies had been tracking the group for over a year and a half prior to the raid. “This is the result of that operation,” Coleman stated, noting that it represented one of the largest drug seizures in the country in recent years. Among the detainees was a foreigner holding both a Spanish and a Colombian passport, suggesting possible links to transnational smuggling routes. Another suspect carried a Serbian passport, raising questions about the broader international connections of the network. Officials have not yet disclosed the origin of the drugs or their intended destination, though investigations continue. Vice-President Jeremiah Koung commended the efforts of the security forces and vowed that anyone found responsible for drug-related crimes will face legal consequences, regardless of their status. This latest seizure follows a similar incident at Roberts International Airport, where six cargo boxes were intercepted last month. Initially labeled as food seasoning and textiles, the packages were later discovered to contain nearly 200 compressed blocks of cocaine destined for export. That case sparked political backlash, with critics accusing authorities of delayed action that allowed some suspects to flee the country before apprehension. In response, President Joseph Boakai directed a joint investigation involving both the national police and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency. Several suspects have since been charged, and international arrest warrants are currently being pursued for those still at large. The situation reflects a larger regional challenge. West Africa has emerged as a critical transit point for cocaine originating in South America and heading toward Europe, aided by porous borders and limited law enforcement capacity in certain areas. According to the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime, at least 30% of cocaine bound for Europe now traverses West African territories. Local consumption, particularly of crack cocaine, has also increased, exacerbating public health concerns. Regional seizures have risen steadily since 2019, with total confiscations reaching around 30 tonnes in 2025. The United Nations has noted that trafficking organizations in the area are evolving more complex strategies, making interdiction efforts increasingly difficult. Liberia itself has witnessed several high-profile drug seizures in recent years, including a 520-kilogram cocaine bust at Monrovia’s seaport in 2022. Since assuming office in 2024, President Boakai has frequently restructured leadership within the country’s drug enforcement agency, reflecting mounting pressure to address the issue. These actions underscore the government’s commitment to curbing the flow of illegal narcotics, even as challenges persist in dismantling entrenched trafficking networks.