Capitol Hill, Monrovia, Liberia– The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) is facing mounting pressure from the House of Representatives amid concerns over the agency’s reported failure to disclose the identities of suspects linked to the US$19.2 million cocaine seizure at Roberts International Airport (RIA).
The LDEA has been scheduled to appear before the Plenary of the House on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, to provide a comprehensive account of the high-profile drug bust and address growing public and legislative concerns surrounding the case.
The decision was reached on Thursday, June 11, 2026, during House 10th day sitting, following a formal communication from Bong County Electoral District #6 Representative Moima Briggs-Mensah, who called for intensified legislative scrutiny of the country’s anti-drug enforcement agency and the circumstances surrounding one of Liberia’s largest recent narcotics interceptions.
While commending the LDEA for what she described as a major breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking, Rep. Briggs-Mensah warned that the incident simultaneously exposes troubling weaknesses within Liberia’s border control and cargo screening architecture.
“This seizure is commendable, but it also raises serious questions about how such a large consignment moved through our systems,” the Bong County lawmaker told colleagues, cautioning that Liberia risks becoming a transit corridor for international narcotics trafficking if institutional weaknesses are not urgently addressed.
Briggs-Mensah disclosed that the cocaine shipment was allegedly already within Liberia and reportedly destined for shipment to Brussels, rather than being imported into the country a revelation she argued warrants heightened scrutiny from airport authorities, joint security agencies, and the LDEA.
“I was at the airport on Monday,” she told lawmakers. “The drugs were already here and were being prepared for cargo shipment out of Liberia. More than 72 hours later, we are still hearing investigations are ongoing while the Liberian people are left in the dark.”
The lawmaker raised concerns over what she described as inconsistent public accountability in major drug-related cases, drawing comparisons to previous incidents in which individuals accused of drug offenses were swiftly identified and publicly scrutinized.
She questioned why authorities had yet to disclose key details surrounding the recent seizure, including the identities of alleged masterminds and broader criminal networks potentially connected to the consignment.
“We cannot continue to conceal those behind these crimes while communities suffer the devastating impact of drugs,” Briggs-Mensah asserted, emphasizing that the country’s growing drug crisis continues to destroy families and undermine national security.
Lawmakers are now seeking answers regarding the measurable impact of those investments and the operational challenges confronting the agency.
The House has requested the LDEA to provide a detailed account of the US$19.2 million cocaine seizure, progress made in combating narcotics trafficking, the status of investigations, and measures being implemented to strengthen border surveillance and cargo screening systems nationwide.
The summons will also see the appearance of Liberia Airport Authority, Immigration, Customs, and all relevant agencies linked to airport operations as lawmakers push for a full account of the incident and any institutional failures that may have enabled the attempted movement of the drugs.
Briggs-Mensah urged her colleagues to treat the issue with urgency, arguing that the national drug crisis transcends politics and demands collective action.
“The threat of drugs is not about today,” she said. “It is about how committed we are and how well we can save Liberia.”
Her comments follow disclosures by LDEA Acting Director General Fitzgerald Biago during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing on Thursday, June 11, 2026, confirming that the agency currently has six suspects in custody in connection with the US$19.2 million cocaine seizure.
However, Biago said the identities of the suspects would remain undisclosed to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
“This is an active investigation. Disclosure of information at this stage could compromise the process,” Biago stated, while urging the public to remain calm as investigators continue gathering evidence and piecing together relevant information.
