–Former Anti-Corruption Official Warns Lack of Transparency Could Fuel Speculation and Undermine Public Confidence
MONROVIA, Liberia – Prominent Liberian lawyer and governance advocate Cllr. Moriah Yeakula has joined the growing chorus of voices demanding greater transparency from authorities following the seizure of nearly a quarter-ton of cocaine valued at approximately US$19 million at Roberts International Airport (RIA).
In a strongly worded statement posted on social media, Yeakula questioned the continued silence surrounding the identities of those allegedly behind what investigators have described as one of the largest cocaine interceptions in Liberia’s history.
The former Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) argued that the scale and sophistication of the operation suggest the involvement of a transnational criminal network whose activities could not have been carried out without assistance from influential actors operating across multiple jurisdictions.
“To move that quantity of drugs from country to country is only possible when persons in positions of power, influence, and authority in each country are involved,” Yeakula wrote.
“It is a cartel operation.”
Questions Surrounding the Shipment
The comments come amid mounting public debate following the June 8 interception of approximately 237.6 kilograms of cocaine concealed in six cargo boxes at Liberia’s main international airport.
LDEA officials have said the shipment, valued at more than US$19.2 million, was discovered through an intelligence-led operation involving joint security personnel assigned at the airport.
While authorities have described the seizure as a major breakthrough in Liberia’s fight against transnational drug trafficking, few details have been released regarding the shipment’s ownership, origin, intended destination, or the identities of key suspects.
Yeakula argued that because the drugs were allegedly imported into Liberia and were already packaged for export through Brussels Airlines, the public deserves answers about how the narcotics entered the country and who facilitated their movement.
“Liberians deserve to know where it came from and where it was going,” he said.
“Who stored it in Liberia and where?”
The lawyer also questioned why authorities chose to intercept the shipment before it departed Liberia rather than allowing international law enforcement agencies to continue tracking the cargo to higher-level operators allegedly involved in the trafficking network.
“If it was already on its way out, why was it intercepted? Why not allow Interpol to follow the trail?” he asked.
Echoes of the 2022 Freeport Drug Case
Yeakula drew parallels with the controversial 2022 drug trafficking case involving a massive narcotics shipment discovered at the Freeport of Monrovia.
That case attracted widespread public attention after authorities announced the seizure of what was then described as approximately US$100 million worth of cocaine hidden in a shipping container.
Several individuals were arrested and prosecuted, including Liberian national Oliver A. Zayzay, Guinea-Bissau citizen Malam Conte, Portuguese national Adulai Djibri Djalo, and Lebanese businessman Makki Admeh Issam.
However, the defendants were eventually acquitted after prosecutors failed to establish sufficient evidence linking them to the shipment.
The acquittals generated significant controversy and raised concerns about weaknesses in Liberia’s criminal justice system, particularly regarding the prosecution of complex transnational drug trafficking cases.
Yeakula suggested that Liberians remain concerned that history could repeat itself if authorities fail to pursue those ultimately responsible for the latest seizure.
“More often than not, the names of the powerful ring leaders will never be revealed and those at the lower spectrum will take the fall,” he stated.
Concern Over “Dangerous Silence”
A central theme of Yeakula’s statement was what he described as the government’s prolonged silence regarding the investigation.
According to him, the absence of official information has created fertile ground for rumors, speculation, and unverified allegations circulating across social media platforms.
“This kind of silence is dangerous,” he warned.
“It leaves room for speculation. Speculation easily gets accepted as reality in Liberia.”
The lawyer argued that individuals whose names have been publicly linked to the case without formal charges risk permanent reputational damage if authorities do not promptly clarify who is and is not under investigation.
“The names circulating now will be tainted for life if they are not actually involved,” he wrote.
“It is a disservice to those people, their reputation, and their families.”
Growing Pressure on Authorities
Yeakula’s intervention comes just days after the civil society group STAND issued its own 72-hour ultimatum to the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, demanding the public disclosure of all individuals and entities connected to the shipment.
The pressure group has also called for an independent international investigation into the case, arguing that the magnitude of the seizure warrants scrutiny beyond Liberia’s borders.
Meanwhile, the LDEA has maintained that investigations remain ongoing and that persons of interest are being identified.
Authorities have stated that certain details cannot yet be released because doing so could compromise ongoing investigative efforts.
Demand for Transparency
Despite acknowledging the complexity of transnational drug investigations, Yeakula insisted that transparency remains essential to maintaining public confidence in government institutions.
“A government must be accountable and transparent to its people,” he said.
“That is the hallmark of good governance and a thriving democracy.”
As public interest in the case continues to grow, the pressure on law enforcement agencies to provide answers is likely to intensify.
For many Liberians, the seizure itself was only the beginning.
The bigger question now is whether investigators can identify and successfully prosecute those who financed, facilitated, protected, and ultimately stood to benefit from one of the largest cocaine shipments ever intercepted on Liberian soil.
Follow The Liberian Post on Facebook (https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576017166570) and X, formerly twitter (https://x.com/LiberianPost).
