By Archie Boan
The Liberian Senate have called for a full scale independent investigation into the US$19.2 million cocaine seizure at Roberts International Airport (RIA), warning that the case raises serious questions about possible security lapses and internal involvement.
Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe and Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh have submitted a formal communication to the Senate Plenary, urging that the probe be free from political influence and conducted with full transparency.
While commending the Joint Security Task Force and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) for intercepting the shipment, the senators insisted that key questions remain unanswered about how such a large consignment entered the country and moved through airport security.
They stressed the need for an impartial investigation to identify all individuals involved and determine whether any officials or institutions played a role in facilitating the operation.
The lawmakers warned against any attempt to politicize the process.
“While we acknowledge our Joint Security forces and the LDEA for the interception, we refuse to accept a compromised or political probe. Numerous questions persist about how such a massive transnational shipment arrived in the country and bypassed airport security and VIP channels,” they stated.
They further called for a thorough inquiry to expose all actors behind the network.
“To uphold Liberia’s international reputation and secure our borders, we must launch a rigorous, independent inquiry to expose all financiers, facilitators, and internal accomplices. Dismantling the cartels and confronting the truth head-on is imperative,” the statement noted.
The senators also praised the Senate for agreeing to summon the Joint Security Task Force to provide answers on the matter, describing it as an important step toward accountability.
They thanked the President Pro Tempore and colleagues for what they described as strong bipartisan support during the plenary debate, noting that the issue transcends party lines.
“Today’s spirited debate and the overwhelming endorsement of our letter show that this cocaine seizure and the broader drug crisis are beyond party politics and require a united national response,” they said.
The lawmakers concluded by urging the Senate to reflect the concerns of the public, who are closely following the case and demanding answers.
“The people of Liberia are watching. They saw the bust. They followed the leaks and the public debate. Now they are watching to see whether this institution will demand the accountability that is expected of it,” the statement concluded.
