The streets of Monrovia have witnessed a significant blow against international cocaine trafficking networks following a daring raid by Liberian police. Estimated at £220 million (US$370 million) in value, the intercepted haul constitutes the country's largest-ever drug seizure. The operation, which took place near the capital, targeted a suspected storage facility in Duazon, approximately 20km east of Monrovia.
Police chief Gregory Coleman confirmed that forensic tests verified the substance as high-grade cocaine. Seized from a lorry were numerous sealed suitcases and boxes believed to contain the illicit substance, leading to the arrest of several individuals, including two foreign nationals. One individual possessed both Spanish and Colombian passports, while another held a Serbian passport, alongside several Liberian citizens. Formal charges have yet to be announced.
The raid marks the culmination of an extensive surveillance operation targeting suspected drug-trafficking activities that had seen a resurgence between 2018 and 2023. The arrests of the foreign nationals are believed to be crucial in unraveling the precise origin and final destination of the seized drugs, which remain under investigation.
This significant interception comes on the heels of another major incident last month at Roberts International Airport, where security officers detected irregularities in six cargo boxes falsely declared as food seasoning and textiles. The shipment contained nearly 200 compressed blocks of cocaine intended for export, sparking political controversy over allegations that authorities were slow to identify suspects. President Joseph Boakai subsequently ordered a joint investigation, which has led to charges against several suspects and international arrest warrants for others.
West Africa's status as a critical transit hub for cocaine moving from South America to Europe continues to grow, with at least 30% of Europe's cocaine now transiting through the region. Local consumption is also on the rise, according to reports by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime. Cocaine seizures in West Africa have steadily increased since 2019, reaching around 30 tonnes in 2025.
In response to the growing problem, President Boakai has reshuffled the leadership of Liberia's drug enforcement agency multiple times since taking office in 2024. The recent bust serves as a testament to the efforts of Liberian authorities in combating international cocaine trafficking networks and highlights the need for continued cooperation between regional law enforcement agencies.