–President Declares No Public Official Above the Law as Dismissals Reach NSA, Police, RIA and LDEA; More Investigations Ordered
MONROVIA, Liberia – In his most sweeping anti-corruption and anti-narcotics action since assuming office, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has dismissed senior government and security officials, suspended others without pay, and ordered expanded criminal investigations into Liberia’s unfolding cocaine trafficking scandal, declaring that no public servant implicated in narcotics-related crimes will remain in government.
The decisive action, announced Thursday by the Executive Mansion, comes as Liberia grapples with the aftermath of two historic cocaine seizures—the US$19 million drug bust at Roberts International Airport (RIA) and the more recent confiscation of 3,971 plates (approximately 4.2 metric tons) of cocaine valued at an estimated US$317.7 million, the largest narcotics seizure in the country’s history.
The President’s directive represents the strongest indication yet that the investigation has reached deep into the country’s security architecture, with officials from the National Security Agency (NSA), Liberia National Police (LNP), Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) and Roberts International Airport (RIA) now facing dismissal, suspension, investigation or criminal prosecution.
Boakai Orders Immediate Dismissals
Following a review of the latest investigative findings submitted by law enforcement authorities, President Boakai ordered the immediate dismissal of three senior officials from their respective positions.
Those removed include:
- Mark Egon Kuiah, Deputy Director for Operations at Roberts International Airport;
- Johnny Bolar Dean, Commissioner of Police for Criminal Investigation, Intelligence and INTERPOL; and
- Patrick Doe, Deputy Director for Administration at the National Security Agency.
The President said the actions form part of his administration’s determination to uphold accountability, strengthen the rule of law and ensure that public officials entrusted with national responsibilities conduct themselves with integrity and in full compliance with the law.
Officer Recalled, Suspended and Placed Under Investigation
President Boakai also recalled Patrick Komasu (702), who had been seconded to the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency.
The President ordered Komasu suspended without pay and directed investigators to immediately begin a formal investigation into his alleged involvement.
The move suggests investigators continue to widen their focus beyond those directly arrested in the cocaine seizures to individuals suspected of facilitating or protecting the operations.
Officials Indicted in Cocaine Cases Fired
The President further ordered the immediate dismissal of all government employees and law enforcement officers indicted in connection with the seizure of 198 plates of processed cocaine at Roberts International Airport and the confiscation of 3,971 plates of cocaine recovered from properties linked to two foreign nationals.
Among those dismissed are:
- Mohammed O. Gbowrah, Director of Security at Roberts International Airport; and
- Moses Jallah, Deputy Commander of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency assigned at Roberts International Airport.
The dismissals underscore the administration’s determination to purge institutions of officials accused of compromising Liberia’s anti-drug enforcement efforts.
Police Officers Accused of Escorting Drug Shipment Fired
President Boakai also dismissed two Liberia National Police officers accused of using official government vehicles to facilitate the transportation of narcotics.
According to the Executive Mansion, investigators believe the officers used government vehicles to transport a cocaine consignment from Vincent Town along the Bomi Highway to the vicinity of Mega Mart in Thinker Village, Paynesville.
Those dismissed are:
- Anthony T. Blaye; and
- Wadell W. Kwarbo.
The allegation represents one of the most troubling aspects of the investigation, suggesting official government resources may have been used to support transnational criminal activity.
NSA Agents, Ministry Official Face Criminal Prosecution
In one of the most consequential aspects of Thursday’s announcement, President Boakai ordered the dismissal of four additional government officials and directed that they be forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for criminal prosecution.
They include:
- Jammel V. Jallah, Agent, National Security Agency;
- Christian L. Nyantee, Agent, National Security Agency;
- Caycee Nelson, Procurement Director, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection; and
- Albenigo Janior, Agent, National Security Agency.
By ordering prosecution in addition to dismissal, the President signaled that administrative sanctions alone would not satisfy the government’s response to the allegations.
A Presidency Determined to Restore Confidence
President Boakai said the dismissals reflect his administration’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that no government official engaged in criminal conduct remains in public service.
He emphasized that Liberia’s fight against narcotics trafficking would be pursued without fear or favor and that anyone found to have participated in drug trafficking or related criminal activities would be held accountable under the law.
The President also instructed all security and law enforcement agencies to intensify ongoing investigations and ensure that every individual connected to the cocaine cases is brought before the courts through due process.
Investigation Has Expanded Dramatically
Thursday’s announcement marks another major escalation in an investigation that has steadily widened over recent weeks.
The first major breakthrough came when authorities intercepted 198 plates of processed cocaine at Roberts International Airport, an operation valued at more than US$19 million.
Investigators later arrested several suspects and described the shipment as part of a sophisticated transnational trafficking network operating through Liberia.
Days later, Liberian security agencies uncovered an even larger operation, seizing 3,971 plates of cocaine—approximately 4.2 metric tons—from premises linked to two foreign nationals in Duazon.
Authorities estimated the value of the seizure at US$317.7 million, making it the largest narcotics confiscation ever recorded in Liberia.
The investigation has since implicated civilians, foreign nationals and, increasingly, members of Liberia’s own security establishment.
Earlier this week, the Liberia National Police announced criminal charges against senior officers, including Highway Patrol Chief Wadell W. Kwarbo and Major Crimes Commander Anthony T. Blaye, alleging they assisted in facilitating the movement of cocaine after it entered Liberia.
The Executive Mansion’s latest announcement now formalizes their dismissal from public service while criminal proceedings continue.
Political and Institutional Test
The President’s sweeping action is likely to be viewed as one of the most significant tests of his administration’s commitment to fighting corruption and organized crime.
For months, Boakai has repeatedly declared that no individual—regardless of rank, office or political affiliation—would be protected if implicated in narcotics trafficking.
Thursday’s dismissals appear to translate that promise into concrete action by reaching into some of Liberia’s most powerful security institutions.
As investigations continue, attention is expected to shift toward criminal prosecutions and whether authorities can successfully dismantle what investigators have described as an extensive transnational drug trafficking network with alleged links inside state institutions.
For many Liberians, the coming weeks will determine whether the government’s unprecedented crackdown marks the beginning of a sustained institutional cleansing or simply the first chapter in one of the country’s most consequential criminal investigations.
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