Reported by: Edwin Khakie Jr
MONROVIA, Liberia, June 22, 2026 — A U.S.-based Liberian, Fred Yarkpawolo Sodone, has raised concerns over the Ministry of Justice’s latest statement on the ongoing investigation into the seizure of 237.6 kilograms of cocaine at Roberts International Airport (RIA), arguing that the government must move beyond public declarations and produce tangible results.
Reacting to the statement issued by Attorney General and Justice Minister Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh on June 19, Sodone said while the government’s commitment to transparency is welcome, many Liberians remain concerned about whether the investigation will ultimately hold all responsible individuals accountable, regardless of their status or political connections.
Sodone noted that Liberia has witnessed several high-profile drug-related cases in recent years that generated significant public attention but ended without clear accountability for those believed to be at the center of the operations.
“The public wants more than press conferences and lists of persons of interest,” he reportedly said. “Liberians want to see arrests, prosecutions, convictions where evidence exists, and the dismantling of the networks behind these criminal activities.”
The Ministry of Justice announced that a Joint National Security Investigative Task Force has identified several persons of interest, including airport security officials, cargo handlers, scanner operators, and executives connected to airport cargo operations. Authorities also disclosed that some individuals linked to the investigation are currently at large.
Sodone argued that the scale of the cocaine seizure suggests the possible involvement of a sophisticated network operating within key institutions and warned that public confidence could be undermined if the investigation fails to reach its logical conclusion.
He further called on the government to ensure that the investigation remains independent and free from political interference, emphasizing that Liberia’s international reputation is at stake.
The Justice Ministry has maintained that no individual will be protected because of position, influence, wealth, or political affiliation, stressing that investigators will follow all available evidence wherever it leads.
As the investigation continues, public attention remains fixed on whether authorities can successfully identify, prosecute, and dismantle those responsible for what is being described as one of Liberia’s most significant cocaine seizures in recent years.
