MONROVIA, Liberia – A Liberian-born United States police officer and security expert has called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. to remove the Liberia National Police (LNP) from the ongoing investigation into Liberia’s record US$317.68 million cocaine seizure, arguing that the Police’s continued participation raises serious concerns about impartiality and public confidence.
Lieutenant Alfred Jah Johnson, who serves with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., said the government’s investigation risks a conflict of interest because several senior officers of the Liberia National Police have themselves become subjects of the expanding narcotics probe.
Johnson made the remarks during an appearance on Prime FM on last Wednesday, where he urged the Boakai administration to restructure the Joint National Security Investigation by assigning greater responsibility to security institutions that are not directly implicated in the case.
Calls for Independent Investigation
According to Johnson, the Liberia National Police should not continue participating in an investigation in which some of its own senior officials are alleged to have been involved.
He argued that internationally accepted principles of transparency, accountability and impartiality require institutions whose personnel are under criminal investigation to recuse themselves from investigative processes involving those allegations.
“The credibility of the investigation must be protected,” Johnson maintained, warning that public confidence could be undermined if the LNP remains actively involved while several of its senior officers are facing allegations linked to the country’s largest-ever cocaine seizure.
Instead, he proposed that the National Security Agency (NSA) assume primary responsibility for the investigation, working alongside other relevant security institutions to ensure the process remains independent and credible.
Johnson said such a move would strengthen public trust in the investigation and eliminate any perception of institutional bias.
Investigation Expands Within Security Sector
Johnson’s comments come as Liberia’s anti-narcotics investigation continues to widen following the discovery of approximately 3,971 plates (about 4.2 metric tons) of cocaine valued at an estimated US$317.68 million.
The investigation has already led to the dismissal, suspension and prosecution of several government officials and security personnel, including senior members of the Liberia National Police, the National Security Agency, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) and Roberts International Airport.
Earlier this week, President Boakai ordered the dismissal of several senior security officials after reviewing findings submitted by investigators, reaffirming that no public official found to have participated in narcotics trafficking or related criminal conduct would remain in government service.
The President has also directed law enforcement agencies to intensify investigations and ensure that everyone connected to the alleged trafficking network is brought before the courts in accordance with due process.
Declaring Drugs a National Emergency
President Boakai recently elevated the country’s anti-drug campaign by directing that the investigation be handled as a Joint National Security Investigation, expanding the role of multiple security institutions in response to what his administration has described as a growing national security threat.
The move followed the government’s declaration that illicit drug trafficking, smuggling and distribution constitute a national emergency, prompting increased collaboration among the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, the National Security Agency, the Liberia National Police and other security bodies.
However, as investigations progressed, several senior police officers were themselves implicated, fueling calls from some observers for a more independent investigative structure.
Who Is Alfred Jah Johnson?
Lieutenant Alfred Jah Johnson is a Liberian-born law enforcement officer currently serving with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C.
He made history as one of the few Liberian-born officers to attain the rank of Lieutenant within the department after rising through the ranks from Sergeant.
His promotion has been widely recognized within both the Liberian and broader African diaspora communities as a significant professional achievement, reflecting years of dedication, leadership and public service.
As a commissioned lieutenant and member of the department’s leadership cadre, Johnson now oversees operational responsibilities, personnel management and community engagement initiatives.
His career has been cited as an example of the growing contributions of African immigrants to law enforcement and public service in the United States.
Debate Over Investigation Continues
Johnson’s intervention adds another voice to the growing national discussion surrounding the structure and independence of Liberia’s largest-ever narcotics investigation.
While the Liberian government has maintained that the Joint National Security Investigation is proceeding without fear or favor, Johnson believes further institutional safeguards are necessary to preserve the integrity of the process.
His recommendation that the Liberia National Police step aside from the investigation reflects his personal professional assessment and does not represent an official position of either the Government of Liberia or the Metropolitan Police Department.
As investigations continue and additional prosecutions are expected, the debate over how best to ensure transparency, accountability and public confidence in the process is likely to remain a central issue in Liberia’s ongoing fight against organized narcotics trafficking.
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