By By: Staff Writer
MONROVIA, Liberia – The Secretary General of the Congress for Democratic Change, Jefferson T. Koijee, has formally requested that the United States Embassy support an independent international investigation into Liberia’s alleged $19 million cocaine trafficking scandal, warning that the case poses serious threats to national security and democratic governance.
In a July 15 letter to U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Joseph Zadrozny, Koijee said the unresolved case goes beyond a single criminal incident and reflects a broader pattern of organized crime exploiting weaknesses in state institutions.
Drawing on his background in counter-terrorism and homeland security, Koijee argued that the manner in which the Liberia National Police is handling the investigation lacks transparency and independence. He specifically questioned repeated public briefings by the LNP Inspector General, saying they have failed to address key questions about the origin and ownership of the intercepted shipment.
Allegations of Institutional Interference
A central concern raised in the letter involves the operational independence of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency. Koijee alleged that LNP Inspector General Gregory O.W. Coleman has exerted undue influence over LDEA leadership appointments and operations.
He claimed that in 2024, former LDEA head Abe Kromah was removed through a “political conspiracy” and replaced by Fitzgerald T. M. Biago, then Deputy Commissioner of Police under Coleman. According to Koijee, the repeated placement of senior LNP officers at LDEA has blurred the agency’s mandate and concentrated control over Liberia’s security architecture.
The CDC SG further alleged that the $19 million cocaine shipment was intercepted at Roberts International Airport while Coleman was traveling in the United Kingdom on June 18-19, 2026 — the reported destination of the consignment. He suggested the timing raises legitimate national security questions that merit independent scrutiny.
Vehicle Distribution Claims
Koijee also raised questions about the distribution of vehicles allegedly linked to a drug cartel. He claimed that 10 Toyota Hilux pickups and 7 Chevrolet Tahoes valued at about $90,000 each were given to senior government officials, including the President, Vice President, Senate Pro Tempore, and Speaker, without going through required General Services Agency registration procedures.
Citing the LNP’s 2026 budget of $25.7 million, he questioned how such a large vehicle distribution was possible and suggested it points to external financial support. He asked that investigators review the procurement, registration, and transfer of the vehicles.
Call for International Support
Koijee said public confidence in Liberia’s justice system is eroding due to what he described as a “dangerous pattern of impunity.” He noted that domestic processes alone may not be sufficient to establish the truth in a case of this magnitude.
“Given the seriousness of this case and its regional and international implications, I respectfully call for the support of the United States and other international partners in advancing an independent international investigation,” he wrote.
He stressed that the request is not intended to tarnish government, but to ensure accountability and restore credibility to anti-drug institutions. “The Liberian people deserve institutions that are transparent, accountable, and capable of confronting organized crime without political interference,” Koijee added.
The U.S. Embassy has not yet commented on the request.
The allegations remain unproven, and those named are presumed innocent unless found guilty through due legal process.
