By: Julius Konton
Former Liberian Foreign Minister Amb. Dee- Maxwell Saah Kemayah Sr. has issued a forceful call for full transparency in the ongoing investigation into the recent seizure of narcotics valued at approximately US$19 million warning that the case could further damage Liberia’s international image if not handled openly and comprehensively.
Speaking as guest speaker at the official launch and 25th cycle closing ceremony of the Amb. George Weah Global Institute of Vocational Education (GIVE), Kemayah urged the Government of Liberia, particularly the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) and the Liberia National Police (LNP), to disclose all individuals linked to the high-profile drug shipment, “regardless of status, rank, or political affiliation.”
His remarks come amid growing public concern over the confiscation of what authorities believe to be a major cocaine consignment allegedly prepared for export through SN Brussels Airlines at Liberia’s main international gateway.
“This is not an ordinary crime,” Kemayah declared. “For drugs worth US$19 million to be in our country and packaged as cargo to leave through Roberts International Airport should concern every Liberian who cares about the future of this nation.”
The former minister condemned the incident in strong terms, describing it as “evil” and a direct threat to Liberia’s youth, national security, and economic credibility.
A Nation Under Pressure
Liberia has increasingly found itself vulnerable to West Africa’s growing narcotics corridor.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), West Africa remains a strategic transit route for cocaine trafficked from Latin America to Europe, with billions of dollars flowing through weakly monitored ports and airports annually.
Historically, Liberia’s post-war institutional fragility, porous borders, and strategic Atlantic coastline have made it susceptible to organized transnational crime.
Between 2010 and 2025, multiple high-profile drug seizures were recorded, but few resulted in convictions of major financiers, fueling public skepticism over political protection networks.
Kemayah suggested the scale of the latest seizure raises troubling questions.
“A US$19 million operation is not something a lone security officer can organize. There are layers. There are networks.
Liberians deserve to know who arranged it, how it entered the country, and who was meant to receive it,” he said.
“No Selective Justice”
In one of his strongest warnings, Kemayah cautioned against what he described as “selective justice” in the fight against narcotics.
“If Liberia becomes known internationally as a drug hub, it will affect tourism, foreign investment, security cooperation, and the future of our young people,” he warned.
His comments reflect wider fears.
Liberia’s youth demographic accounts for nearly 63% of the population under age 25, according to World Bank estimates, making the country particularly vulnerable to substance abuse and trafficking recruitment.
Public health experts have repeatedly linked rising drug abuse to growing mental health crises, crime rates, and school dropouts.
Kemayah drew emotional parallels between drug abuse and social decay, noting that many young Liberians are “ending up in graveyards or living like the dead” because of addiction.
“This is a national emergency. Drugs know no tribe, no political party, no social class,” he said.
Calls for Government Transparency
The former diplomat questioned why details surrounding the seizure have remained limited days after the arrest, comparing it to previous high-profile narcotics cases where information spread rapidly.
He specifically referenced past publicized drug cases, arguing that the government must move quickly to curb speculation.
“The best way to stop rumors is to tell the truth,” he stated. “Liberians have the right to know.”
Kemayah also called on citizens to support anti-drug efforts through whistleblowing and community vigilance, describing narcotics as “a virus and cancer” destroying the nation from within.
Beyond Politics: A Generational Crisis
In a striking moment, Kemayah distanced his concerns from partisan politics, speaking instead “as a parent.”
“This is bigger than politics,” he said. “The future of Liberia is under threat.”
Though he acknowledged that narcotics have existed in Liberia for decades even dating back to the country’s earliest years, he stressed that today’s scale and sophistication represent a far more dangerous evolution.
Analysts say Liberia’s anti-drug fight will ultimately be judged not by the volume seized, but by whether investigators can trace and prosecute the financiers and networks behind such operations.
Empowering Youth as Prevention
Beyond his criticism, Kemayah praised Dave Wreyou, founder of GIVE, for investing in vocational education and skills training free of charge, describing youth empowerment as one of the strongest antidotes to drug dependency.
Kemayah revealed he operates a similar initiative , the Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah Women Empowerment and Vocational Skills Training Program emphasizing that building opportunities for young people is critical to reducing vulnerability to narcotics.
He urged trainers to remain committed to service over profit and encouraged graduates to value discipline and skills as pathways to a better future.
“Some of your peers are in the streets. Some are trapped by drugs. Some are gone. You have chosen another path. Stay on it,” he told the graduates.
As Liberia awaits further details from investigators, the US$19 million cocaine seizure has become more than a criminal case, it is now a test of institutional credibility, political will, and the country’s ability to confront what many now call one of its fastest-growing internal threats.
