Liberia sacks 12 officials after cocaine busts

Liberian President Joseph Boakai has dismissed 12 government officials after major cocaine seizures that triggered public calls for tougher action.

A late Thursday statement said Boakai ordered dismissals, suspensions and investigations after reviewing the status of inquiries into major narcotics trafficking cases.

Earlier this month, authorities seized nearly four tonnes of cocaine valued at $317 million on the road to Roberts International Airport, about 30 kilometres from Monrovia. Officials described it as the largest drug bust in Liberia's history.

The seizure followed another case in June in which about 238 kilograms of cocaine, valued at around $19 million, was found at the airport in cargo presented as ordinary commercial goods, including Maggi seasoning cubes.

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.

Boakai also dismissed all government employees and law enforcement officers indicted in connection with the two large seizures, according to the statement. It identified those individuals as the airport's director of security and the deputy commander of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency at the airport.

The statement said four employees across the National Security Agency and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection were also dismissed and that their cases were sent to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution.

Several hundred protesters marched in Monrovia two weeks ago demanding swift action and charges after the busts.