Liberian authorities have seized nearly four tonnes of suspected cocaine worth an estimated $317 million in one of the country’s biggest drug busts, arresting two foreign nationals in the process.
The raid took place on Tuesday along the road leading to Roberts International Airport, about 30 kilometres from the capital, Monrovia. Police released images showing a truck carrying away bags believed to contain the seized drugs.
In a joint statement, Liberia’s Attorney General and Justice Minister said investigators uncovered what they described as a well-organised and well-funded international drug trafficking network that may have been operating in the country for more than six years.
Authorities said they recovered around 3,971 kilograms (8,755 pounds) of suspected cocaine during the operation.
The latest seizure comes just weeks after another major drug bust at Roberts International Airport in June, where officials intercepted 237.6 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside commercial cargo labelled as Maggi seasoning cubes and traditional lappa cloth. Five suspects and a logistics company have since been charged in that case.
Following the earlier seizure, President Joseph Boakai pledged to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating in Liberia, promising that everyone involved would be held accountable.
West Africa has increasingly become a key transit route for cocaine produced in Latin America and trafficked to European markets, making the region a major focus in the global fight against organised drug crime.