MONROVIA — The former President of the Liberia Council of Churches, Bishop Kortu Brown, has called for a transparent, comprehensive, and speedy investigation into the recent US$19.2 million cocaine seizure, warning authorities against shielding influential individuals who may be connected to the case.
By Obediah Johnson, obediah.johnson@frontpageafricaonline.com
Bishop Brown’s comments come as a joint security task force continues its investigation into the interception of 237.6 kilograms of cocaine at the Roberts International Airport in Margibi County.
The ongoing probe is being conducted by a joint security task force comprising the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, the Liberia National Police, the Ministry of Justice, the National Security Agency, and other security institutions. Authorities have already identified ten persons of interest, but public attention remains focused on whether investigators will uncover the broader network allegedly responsible for one of the largest cocaine seizures in Liberia’s history.
The narcotics, which were concealed in six cargo boxes containing 198 compressed packages, were reportedly destined for Europe aboard a Brussels Airlines cargo shipment. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai subsequently described the seizure as a major threat to national security and ordered a full-scale investigation to identify all individuals involved, including financiers, facilitators, and international collaborators.
Speaking during an interview at his church’s offices in Brewerville, outside Monrovia, Bishop Brown said the magnitude of the seizure has raised serious concerns about the possible involvement of well-connected individuals operating behind the scenes.
He argued that the manner in which the cocaine entered the country and was transported to the airport suggests a sophisticated network rather than the actions of a few isolated individuals.
According to the respected clergyman, the credibility of the ongoing investigation will depend largely on whether authorities demonstrate the courage and independence necessary to pursue every lead, regardless of where it leads. He said many Liberians are concerned that lower-level employees could ultimately be blamed while those who may have financed, coordinated, or facilitated the operation escape scrutiny.
Bishop Brown stressed that the Liberians deserve a thorough explanation of how such a large quantity of cocaine entered the country, moved through various checkpoints, and eventually reached the airport. He maintained that investigators must not limit their focus to airport
personnel and cargo handlers but should instead identify all individuals who played a role in the trafficking operation.
“The investigators need to be more transparent and open. There should be nothing to hide because this is not good news for Liberia. The public deserves facts, accountability, and a responsible investigation. We need to make sure that every individual connected to this operation is held liable. This investigation is a major test of the government’s commitment to fighting drug trafficking and organized crime,” Bishop Brown said.
The former Liberia Council of Churches President further stated that the outcome of the investigation should reveal whether the individuals involved had previously used similar methods to transport narcotics through Liberia. He noted that exposing the full scope of the operation is critical if authorities hope to dismantle the network behind the trafficking scheme.
Bishop Brown also emphasized that President Boakai’s pledge that no stone would be left unturned must be matched by concrete action. He urged the President to ensure that there are no “sacred cows” in the investigation and that anyone found culpable, including presidential appointees and senior public officials, is subjected to the full force of the law.
According to him, the seizure presents an opportunity for Liberia to demonstrate that its institutions are capable of administering justice without fear or favor. He cautioned that any attempt to protect influential figures could undermine public trust and weaken confidence in the country’s anti-drug efforts.
“This investigation must not become an exercise in protecting the powerful while sacrificing the powerless. If the evidence points to individuals in positions of influence, investigators must have the courage to follow that evidence. Liberians want justice, not selective accountability. They want to know that those who orchestrated or facilitated this operation will face prosecution regardless of their title, office, or political connections,” he declared.
The bishop observed that the circumstances surrounding the seizure indicate the possible existence of a broader criminal network. He argued that such a significant quantity of narcotics could not have been transported and prepared for export without substantial planning, coordination, and financial backing.
He warned against what he described as the danger of focusing exclusively on technical failures at the airport while ignoring the larger criminal structure that may have facilitated the operation. According to him, dismantling drug cartels requires exposing every layer of their activities and identifying those who provide protection and logistical support.
“The quantity of cocaine intercepted raises serious questions about a sophisticated network operating behind the scenes. This type of operation does not happen by accident. It requires planning, resources, and coordination. That is why investigators must go beyond the surface and identify every individual involved, especially those who may be using positions of authority to shield criminal activities from public scrutiny,” Bishop Brown said.
The former church leader further expressed concern about the potential impact of the cocaine seizure on Liberia’s international reputation and economic prospects. He warned that the country risks being viewed as a transit point for international drug trafficking if decisive action is not taken.
He noted that investors and development partners closely monitor issues related to governance, security, and the rule of law. According to him, any perception that influential figures are being protected could discourage investment and damage Liberia’s standing within the international community.
Bishop Brown emphasized that government institutions should provide regular updates to the public throughout the course of the investigation. He argued that timely communication is essential to maintaining public confidence and preventing the spread of misinformation.
“If government is serious about winning the fight against drugs, then there can be no sacred cows in this investigation. Liberians will judge this process not by the number of arrests announced but by whether those truly responsible are identified and prosecuted. The public will not be satisfied if only minor actors are held accountable while the so-called big fish remain untouched,” he stated.
The clergyman also called for greater international cooperation in the investigation, including support from the United States and other international partners with expertise in combating transnational drug trafficking networks. He said international collaboration could help uncover connections that extend beyond Liberia’s borders.
As investigators continue their work, Bishop Brown insisted that the public deserves answers beyond the identities of the ten individuals already named as persons of interest. He stressed that Liberians want to know who financed the operation, who authorized its movement, and who ultimately stood to benefit from the shipment.
“This case presents an opportunity for Liberia to demonstrate to the world that our institutions are capable of upholding justice without fear or favor. The people deserve transparency. They deserve regular updates. Most importantly, they deserve assurance that no one is being protected because of wealth, status, or political influence. The integrity of this investigation depends on that commitment,” Bishop Brown added.
