MONROVIA – The Movement for Progressive Change (MPC) political leader, Simeon Freeman, has called for international sanctions against senior government officials if authorities fail to bring the ongoing investigation into the country’s high-profile airport drug seizure to a conclusion within the next two weeks.
By Edwin Genoway
Freeman’s comments come amid public scrutiny surrounding the investigation into a cocaine shipment reportedly valued at approximately US$19 million that was intercepted at Roberts International Airport.
The case has generated widespread debate across the country, with citizens, civil society organizations, and opposition figures demanding greater transparency regarding the identities of those responsible and the progress of the investigation.
Addressing the issue, Freeman argued that the government’s response has been insufficient and has failed to reassure the public that every effort is being made to uncover the full scope of the alleged trafficking operation. According to him, the prolonged nature of the investigation has created an environment in which speculation continues to flourish while official answers remain limited.
Freeman maintained that the government has a responsibility to provide regular updates on the status of the case, especially given the magnitude of the seizure and its potential implications for Liberia’s international image. He said the absence of publicly announced arrests and the continued withholding of key information have contributed to growing concerns among ordinary Liberians.
“The Liberian people deserve more than vague assurances that an investigation is ongoing. This case involves a massive quantity of narcotics that allegedly passed through critical points of our national security infrastructure, and yet weeks later the public is still waiting to hear who organized the shipment, who financed it, who was expected to receive it, and whether individuals within state institutions may have played any role in facilitating its movement. Transparency is not optional in a matter of this magnitude; it is essential to restoring public confidence and protecting Liberia’s credibility before the international community,” Freeman said.
The opposition politician further questioned why authorities have not disclosed the names of persons of interest or announced any significant breakthroughs despite the considerable attention the case has received. While acknowledging the work of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency in intercepting the shipment, Freeman argued that the investigation should have already produced concrete results.
According to him, the government’s handling of the matter risks sending the wrong message both domestically and internationally. He warned that Liberia could face reputational consequences if foreign partners conclude that authorities are unwilling or unable to aggressively pursue those responsible for large-scale narcotics trafficking.
Freeman also expressed concern about what he described as inconsistencies in the government’s public communications regarding the case. He noted that while officials have cited the need to protect the integrity of the investigation as justification for withholding certain information, public attention has increasingly focused on the disclosure of details surrounding individuals who helped expose aspects of the scandal.
“This is no longer simply a criminal investigation; it has become a test of Liberia’s commitment to accountability and the rule of law. If powerful people are being shielded from scrutiny while ordinary citizens are expected to trust a process that offers few answers, then confidence in public institutions will continue to erode. The international community has a legitimate interest in ensuring that Liberia does not become a safe corridor for transnational drug trafficking, and if meaningful progress is not made within a reasonable period, there should be serious consequences for those entrusted with overseeing this investigation,” Freeman added.
The MPC leader subsequently called on Liberia’s international partners to closely monitor developments in the case and consider punitive measures should the investigation fail to reach a credible conclusion within 14 days. Among the actions he proposed were sanctions targeting senior government officials, including restrictions on assets and other measures designed to encourage accountability.
For its part, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency has maintained that the investigation remains active and that certain information cannot be released prematurely without jeopardizing ongoing efforts.
Officials have repeatedly stated that investigators are pursuing all available leads and remain committed to bringing those responsible to justice.
