Montserrado County’s Senator, Abraham Darius Dillon, has observed that the over US$19 million drug issue at hand has become embarrassingly concerning. According to him, it is nearly a week since the “busting and discovery” of the huge consignment at the Roberts International Airport (RIA), but the LDEA’s reported “withholding” of the names of “persons of interest” is troubling.
Senator Dillon said since the matter is already a public knowledge, he wondered who are the “persons of interest” under the LDEA radar; why are their names being “withheld”; why the delay in publicly naming them days now since the first public information; and where in the world have the names of “persons of interest” been “withheld”.
He claimed that without daily public updates, the LDEA’s action and or inaction is generating all the speculations, twisting, spinning and finger-pointing, and urged the entity to speak-up now with clear updates on progress being made with the on-going investigation into the grave matter, in order to bring perpetrators to justice.
The senator warned that, alternatively, he will be left with the duty, without fear or favor, to bring the matter before the Senate this week to compel the appropriate and necessary actions to ensure clarity and justice!
Meanwhile, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has acknowledged the heightened public interest surrounding the seizure of approximately 237.6 kilograms of cocaine valued at more than US$19 million at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) on June 8, 2026.
The LDEA said, in recognition of the magnitude of the seizure, its potential transnational dimensions, and possible links to organized criminal networks, the National Security Council has elevated the matter to a Joint National Security Investigation. The investigation is being coordinated by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) and the Liberia National Police (LNP), with operational support from the National Security Agency (NSA), the Executive Protection Service (EPS), the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA), the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), customs authorities, airport security, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), and other relevant security institutions.
According to the LDEA, the decision reflects the Government of Liberia’s determination to treat the matter not simply as a narcotics case, but as a significant national security threat with potential implications for border security, international aviation, financial integrity, public safety, and Liberia’s standing within the international community.
The agency said it is aware of growing calls for the immediate publication of the names of individuals believed to be connected to the shipment, but while the public’s interest in transparency and accountability is both legitimate and understandable, investigators must ensure that operational, intelligence, and evidentiary requirements are not compromised.
“Premature disclosure of the identities of persons of interest, suspects, cooperating witnesses, or individuals under active investigation could tip off additional suspects, facilitate the destruction or concealment of evidence, interfere with intelligence-gathering efforts, compromise international law-enforcement cooperation, prejudice future prosecutions, and place investigators, witnesses, and other individuals at risk. Such actions could ultimately undermine efforts to dismantle the entire criminal enterprise behind this transnational trafficking operation,” the LDEA noted.
The LDEA disclosed that investigation to date indicate that the consignment was transported to Roberts International Airport for shipment on Friday, June 5, 2026, by an individual identified as Emmanuel Zeon, who departed the scene shortly after delivering the cargo to the airport warehouse for export through Brussels Airlines, and is currently being sought by law enforcement authorities.
Several individuals and institutions involved in the shipment process, including shipping agencies, airport personnel, security officers, and other relevant parties are said to be undergoing investigation as part of an extensive, multidimensional inquiry. “Additional investigative actions are on-going, and several leads are being actively pursued,” the LDEA further disclosed.
The LDEA further disclosed that a joint security team is aggressively pursuing all investigative leads, including the identification of financiers, facilitators, logistical coordinators, corrupt enablers, and any domestic or international actors connected to the shipment. “The investigation is focused not only on those directly linked to the seized narcotics but also on identifying and dismantling the broader criminal network responsible for financing, coordinating, facilitating, and attempting to exploit Liberia’s transportation and security infrastructure for illicit purposes.
“The Government of Liberia (GOL) recognizes that Roberts International Airport is a critical national asset and gateway to international commerce, tourism, investment, and travel. Accordingly, the investigation seeks not only to hold offenders accountable but also to protect the integrity of Liberia’s aviation and security systems, preserve public confidence, and reassure international partners that Liberia remains committed to combating transnational organized crime.
“The government further wishes to assure the Liberian people and the international community that no individual, regardless of position, status, influence, affiliation, or institutional connection, will be shielded from investigation or exempt from the full weight of the law. Where sufficient evidence exists, arrests will be made, charges will be filed, and prosecutions will be pursued without fear, favor, or exception.
“As arrests are effected and charges formally filed before the courts, information appropriate for public disclosure will be released in accordance with Liberian law and established judicial procedures. However, investigative considerations must take precedence while active operations remain on-going,” the enforcement agency maintained.
The LDEA then called on all citizens to support the effort by providing any information relevant to the investigation, as the successful disruption of transnational organized crime requires the collective vigilance and cooperation of all Liberians.
The LDEA assured that the investigation will not end with the seizure of narcotics, observing that the joint security will identify, disrupt, dismantle, and bring to justice every individual, facilitator, financier, and criminal network connected to this operation, whether within Liberia or beyond its borders.
