Liberian President Sacks Officials, Orders Probes After Major Drug Seizures

Liberian President Joseph Boakai has sacked a dozen government officials and referred several others for investigation after a series of major drug seizures prompted public calls for tougher action.

A statement released late on Thursday said the dismissals included airport operations staff and senior law enforcement supervisors.

Earlier this month, Liberian authorities seized nearly four tonnes of cocaine worth an estimated $317 million (€277 million) near Roberts International Airport.

It followed another major seizure in June, when about 238 kilograms of cocaine worth an estimated $19 million (€16.5 million) was found hidden among ordinary commercial cargo, including Maggi seasoning cubes, at the airport.

The President ordered "the immediate dismissal, suspension and investigation of several officials of government and law enforcement personnel following his review of the latest status report on ongoing investigations into major narcotics trafficking cases".

Those dismissed included the airport's deputy director for operations, the police commissioner for criminal investigation, intelligence and Interpol, and the deputy director for administration at the National Security Agency (NSA).

The statement added that Boakai had also dismissed "all government employees and law enforcement officers indicted" in connection with the two major drug seizures. Those individuals were the airport's director of security and the deputy commander of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency at the airport, it said.

He also dismissed four employees from the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, referring their cases to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution.

Following the initial airport drug seizure in June, Boakai launched a coordinated investigation to ensure that "every individual found responsible is fully accountable under the law".

According to the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, West Africa is a key transit hub for cocaine bound for Europe.

Several hundred protesters additionally took to the streets of Monrovia two weeks ago demanding quick action and rapid charges, in a protest organised by the civic group stand.