MONROVIA – The Alternative National Congress (ANC) has called for a swift, independent and transparent investigation into the reported smuggling of illegal drugs valued at approximately US$19 million through Roberts International Airport (RIA), describing the incident as a major threat to Liberia’s national security.
In a statement issued on June 14, 2026, and signed by ANC Secretary General Desmond U. Nimely and approved by the party’s Chairman, Cllr. Lafayette E.O. Gould, the ANC expressed “profound outrage and unequivocal condemnation” over revelations by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) that the illicit substances entered the country through Liberia’s principal international gateway about a week earlier.
The opposition party said the incident raises serious questions about the integrity of Liberia’s security, customs and border control systems, noting that the successful entry of such a significant quantity of narcotics points to alarming vulnerabilities that require immediate attention.
According to the ANC, the matter is not merely a criminal case but a direct assault on the security of the Liberian people and the well-being of citizens. The party warned that drug trafficking continues to destroy communities, endanger young people, fuel organized crime and undermine public confidence in state institutions.
The ANC called for a comprehensive investigation into every aspect of the case, including how the drugs entered the country, who facilitated their movement, who was responsible for screening and oversight, and whether any public officials, airport personnel, security officers or politically connected individuals were involved.
“The Liberian people deserve answers,” the party said, adding that the public has a right to know who is responsible for the criminal enterprise.
The ANC further urged authorities to immediately disclose the identities of all individuals arrested, charged, identified as suspects or otherwise linked to the trafficking operation, while warning that silence, secrecy and selective disclosure could deepen public suspicion and erode confidence in the government’s commitment to combating narcotics trafficking.
The party also cautioned against any attempt to shield influential individuals, suppress evidence or politicize the investigation, stressing that the law must apply equally to all persons regardless of status, wealth, influence or political affiliation.
Additionally, the ANC called on relevant authorities to provide regular public updates on the progress of the investigation and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
