U.S. Agents Join Liberia’s US$317M Drug Investigation

By Kruah Thompson

MONROVIA, Liberia, July 31, 2026 – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has secured United States government support to assist Liberia’s Joint National Security Investigative Team in investigating the country’s largest cocaine seizure, according to Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman.

Coleman disclosed Thursday during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing that U.S. investigators and analysts are already in Liberia working alongside local security agencies on the ongoing probe into the US$317 million cocaine seizure in Duazon, Margibi County.

He also announced that Rwanda is preparing to deploy a team of investigators to support the investigation.

According to Coleman, the international assistance followed a direct intervention by President Boakai with senior officials of the U.S. government.

“I would like to inform you all. Thanks to the government, our request for assistance from our foreign government has been answered. The President made a direct intervention straight at the highest level of the U.S. government, and there’s been an immediate response,” Coleman said.

“The U.S. is currently in the country working alongside us. We have agents and analysts here working with us on this investigation.”

Coleman said the United States has already shared intelligence with Liberian investigators and is providing technical assistance tailored to the needs of the investigation.

He added that he had also received confirmation from the Inspector General of Police of Rwanda that a Rwandan investigative team would soon arrive in Liberia to support the ongoing probe.

“I received a call today from the Inspector General of Police from Rwanda, whose team is going to be coming to Liberia as well to work with us on the investigation,” he said.

Coleman said all Liberian investigators have been instructed to provide the foreign experts with unrestricted access to the evidence collected during the investigation.

“Nothing should be hidden. Everything we have must be shared with them so we can work together and hold those who are responsible accountable,” he said.

The international assistance comes as Liberia investigates two of the country’s largest cocaine seizures.

On June 8, security authorities intercepted 237.6 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of US$19 million at Roberts International Airport after the drugs were discovered concealed in cargo. The seizure prompted the government to establish the Joint National Security Investigative Team.

While that investigation was still underway, security forces on July 21 uncovered 3,971 kilograms of cocaine during a raid on a warehouse in Duazon, Margibi County. Authorities estimated the street value of the drugs at US$317 million.

The Duazon operation resulted in the arrest of two foreign nationals—a Colombian and a Spanish national—as well as several Liberian suspects identified as persons of interest.

The government’s handling of the investigation has drawn scrutiny from opposition figures, who have called for an independent international inquiry into the drug cases.

In a July 15 communication to the U.S. Embassy, Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) Secretary General Jefferson T. Koijee requested U.S. support for an international investigation. He alleged that Inspector General Coleman received gifts from individuals he claimed were linked to the drug trafficking network and further alleged that 10 Toyota Hilux vehicles were delivered to the Liberia National Police and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency without being processed through the General Services Agency as required by law.

The Ministry of Justice has previously rejected allegations linking Coleman to misconduct in the investigation, stating that an internal review found no evidence implicating the Police Inspector General.

Responding to public criticism, Coleman urged Liberians to allow investigators to complete their work before the matter proceeds to court.

“Some of us value the ethics that come with public service. We know what we are doing, and we will deliver. We ask for your patience before we go to court,” he said.

Coleman reaffirmed the government’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks operating in Liberia.

“We are committed to doing so. Those of you who brought these drugs here and want Liberia to become a narco-state, we will dismantle that narco-state. We will make sure the dignity of this country is restored,” he said.