By Pewu Y. Sumo
MONROVIA — The National Joint Security on Thursday, July 30, 2026, oversaw the public burning of approximately 4.2 metric tons of confiscated cocaine valued at an estimated $336 million United States dollars. The destruction, executed under court order in Careysburg on the outskirts of Monrovia, marks a decisive moment in Liberia’s ongoing fight against transnational narcotics trafficking.
The massive drug stockpile was intercepted during two high-profile operations conducted in June and July of this year. On June 8, 2026, a seizure at Roberts International Airport (RIA) netted 237.6 kilograms of cocaine hidden in commercial cargo, valued at over $19 million.
A second raid followed on July 21, 2026, when a record-breaking joint security operation in Duazon yielded nearly 4 metric tons (3,971 kg) of processed cocaine worth roughly $317 million.
The public burning follows stunning disclosures from Police Inspector General Gregory O.W. Coleman, who revealed during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing on Thursday that the multi-million dollar trafficking operation was enabled by high-level state actors.
Following a major intelligence and surveillance operation lasting over a year, the Joint Security has officially charged the chief of the highway patrol, Wadell Quaboe, and the chief of the major crimes unit, Anthony Blaye. Both commanders were detained at Police Headquarters and turned over to the court for prosecution on Thursday. They stand accused of actively driving and escorting the narcotics consignment from the shoreline to the holding ground using official police vehicles. A deputy commander for the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) stationed at RIA has also been identified as a key actor, according to Col. Coleman.
Also speaking ahead of the burning exercise, Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. Oswald Tweh emphasized that international law enforcement partners in Morocco, Rwanda, and the Netherlands are collaborating on the expansive investigation. Tweh reaffirmed President Joseph Boakai’s stance that the inquiry will be strictly evidence-based, stating, “There will be no limits. If the evidence leads to you, you will be investigated.”
The Justice Minister also brought clarity to allegations circulating against Mr. Joseph Boakai, Jr., the son of the President, who had been accused by critics of involvement in narcotics trafficking.
The allegations intensified following a recent viral video in which individuals claiming to belong to a Colombian drug cartel sent a threatening message to Mr. Boakai and the Liberian government, warning they would fight back following the massive drug seizure.
Executive Protection Service (EPS) Director Sam Gaye dismissed the cartel’s threats earlier in the week, stating that the government would proceed with the burning regardless.
Mr. Joseph Boakai, Jr. has since strongly responded to the allegations, completely distancing himself from any narcotics dealings and describing the claims as a smear campaign.
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