MONROVIA – Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah has called on Liberians to allow the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) to independently investigate the recent seizure of narcotics valued at approximately US$19 million at the Roberts International Airport (RIA), stressing that the Boakai administration remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
Speaking Tuesday, June 16, 2026, during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing in Monrovia, Minister Piah said the government would not interfere with the ongoing investigation and urged the public to avoid rushing to conclusions while investigators carry out their work.
The Information Minister emphasized that the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai intends to handle the case differently from previous high-profile drug investigations that failed to result in successful prosecutions.
According to Piah, the current government is determined to ensure that all aspects of the case are thoroughly investigated before any final conclusions are reached.
He referenced the controversial US$100 million drug bust that occurred during the administration of former President George Weah, noting that the principal suspects in that case were never successfully prosecuted.
Piah also criticized what he described as attempts by some individuals to politicize the current investigation and draw comparisons with incidents that occurred under the previous administration.
“This is not the same government. We are not running the trial-and-error government that the CDC was running,” Piah declared.
He maintained that the government’s priority is to ensure a credible and professional investigation capable of leading to successful prosecutions where evidence warrants.
Call for Patience as Investigation Continues
The Minister’s comments come amid growing public pressure for authorities to disclose the identities of individuals allegedly linked to the seized narcotics.
Since news of the drug seizure became public, there have been increasing calls from citizens, political commentators, and civil society actors for the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency to release the names of suspects and provide details regarding the ownership and intended destination of the shipment.
However, authorities have maintained that prematurely releasing information could compromise the integrity of the investigation.
The LDEA has repeatedly stated that it is conducting a comprehensive investigation and that withholding certain information at this stage is necessary to ensure that all individuals connected to the case are properly identified and investigated.
Security Experts Back Investigative Approach
Meanwhile, several security experts have defended the government’s cautious approach, arguing that confidentiality is often essential during complex criminal investigations.
According to security analysts, withholding sensitive information during an active investigation should not be interpreted as an attempt to conceal the truth.
“When certain information is withheld during an active investigation, it does not mean the truth is being hidden,” one security expert noted. “In many cases, it is necessary to protect the integrity of the investigation and ensure that those responsible are properly identified, investigated, charged, and prosecuted.”
Observers say the position taken by Minister Piah reinforces the LDEA’s earlier stance that investigators must be allowed to follow all leads before making public disclosures or effecting additional arrests.
The seizure, one of the largest reported narcotics interceptions in recent years, has sparked intense national interest and renewed concerns about Liberia’s vulnerability to international drug trafficking networks.
As investigations continue, government officials insist that the focus must remain on uncovering the full scope of the operation and ensuring that all individuals found culpable face the full weight of the law.
For now, authorities are urging patience, insisting that a thorough and independent investigation offers the best chance of securing accountability and preventing future trafficking activities.
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