Liberia reports $317 million cocaine seizure near Monrovia

Liberian authorities announced the seizure of nearly four tonnes of cocaine valued at about $317 million in a major drug bust that included the arrest of two foreign nationals.

The Liberian National Police posted photos showing a large open-bed truck carrying what appeared to be bags of drugs or other evidence after the Tuesday raid. The operation took place at a site on the road leading to Roberts International Airport, about 30 kilometres, or 20 miles, from the capital, Monrovia.

Liberia's attorney general and justice minister said in a joint statement that the operation revealed an organised, sophisticated, complex and well-funded narcotics trafficking network that may have been operating in Liberia for more than six years.

They said investigators recovered about 3,971 kilograms, or 8,755 pounds, of processed plates of suspected cocaine, with an estimated street value of about $317.7 million.

The seizure followed another major drug bust at the airport in June. In that case, authorities said 237.6 kilograms, or 524 pounds, of cocaine had been presented as ordinary commercial cargo, including Maggi seasoning cubes and lappas, a form of traditional clothing, for export. Five men and the logistics company where one of them worked have been charged in that case.

After the airport seizure, President Joseph Boakai vowed to expose and destroy the networks behind drug trafficking in Liberia. He also announced a coordinated investigation aimed at ensuring that anyone found responsible would be held fully accountable under the law.

The Swiss NGO Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime says West Africa is a transit point for cocaine produced in Latin America and shipped to consumer countries in Europe.