Liberian President Joseph Boakai has dismissed 12 government officials and recommended several others for investigation following a series of major drug seizures that have sparked public outrage and calls for stronger action against narcotics trafficking.
The officials dismissed include an airport operations administrator and several law enforcement supervisors, according to a statement issued late Thursday.
Earlier this month, Liberian authorities recorded the country’s largest-ever drug seizure after nearly four tonnes of cocaine, estimated to be worth $317 million, were intercepted along a road leading to Roberts International Airport, about 30 kilometres from the capital, Monrovia.
The seizure came shortly after authorities confiscated about 238 kilogrammes of cocaine valued at approximately $19 million at the airport in June. The drugs had reportedly been disguised as ordinary commercial cargo, including Maggi seasoning cubes.
West Africa is widely regarded as a major transit route for cocaine produced in Latin America and trafficked to consumer markets in Europe.
In his statement, Boakai said he had ordered the “immediate dismissal, suspension and investigation” of government and law enforcement personnel following a review of the latest status report on investigations into major narcotics trafficking cases.
Among those dismissed were the airport’s deputy director for operations, the police commissioner responsible for criminal investigation, intelligence and Interpol, and the deputy director for administration at the National Security Agency.
The President also approved the dismissal of government employees and law enforcement officers allegedly indicted in connection with the two major drug seizures. They include the airport’s director of security and the deputy commander of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency at the airport.
Four other employees from the National Security Agency and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection were also dismissed, with their cases referred to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution.
Following the initial drug seizure in June, Boakai ordered a coordinated investigation and vowed that anyone found responsible would be held accountable under the law.
The drug busts have triggered widespread public concern, with social media users, political commentators and media organisations demanding greater scrutiny of government officials and swift prosecution of those found culpable.
The pressure intensified two weeks ago when several hundred protesters took to the streets of Monrovia, demanding faster investigations and the immediate filing of charges against those implicated. The demonstration was organised by civic group STAND.
