Breaking News: Liberia Confirms Biggest Drug Bust; Estimates Duazon Cocaine Raid at Over US$317M

Monrovia, Liberia: The government of Liberia has placed the street value of the approximately 3,971 kilograms of reported cocaine in the July 21, 2026 Duazon drug bust at US$317.68 million, recording the largest drug discovery the country has ever experienced.

Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald Tweh, said the seizure followed an operation by the Joint National Security Investigative Task Force at a property in Duazon along the Roberts International Airport Highway in Margibi County.

According to the Justice Minister, intelligence gathered led security authorities to Duazon, where officers executed a court-authorized search-and-seizure warrant on July 21 at a house, leaving to the uncovering of the approximately 3,971 kilograms of reported cocaine

Briefing the nation on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Oswald Tweh disclosed that two foreign nationals have been arrested in connection with the seizure.

He said their identities are being withheld to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation. The bust exceeds previous high-profile drug case, including the $100 million cocaine shipment discovered at the Freeport of Monrovia in 2022.

"The Joint National Security Investigative Task Force, acting on information developed during the ongoing investigation, arrested and detained several persons of interest for questioning in furtherance of the investigation".

"Information obtained through continued investigative and intelligence efforts subsequently led authorities to a location in the VOA Community along the Roberts International Airport Highway in Duazon, Margibi County.

"During the operation, investigators recovered approximately 3,971 kilograms of processed plates of suspected cocaine, with an estimated street value of approximately US$317,680,000. The substances were seized and secured as evidence for further investigation and appropriate scientific examination", Minister Tweh stated.

He furthered that investigators are working to determine the origin, ownership, transportation route, and intended destination of the suspected cocaine, while also examining possible domestic and international criminal networks, financial transactions, and logistical support connected to the operation.

However, the Attorney General mentioned that several items believed to be linked to the operation, including diving suits, a firearm, GPS tracking devices, a drone, Starlink satellite internet equipment, and other materials have also been confiscateed and undergoing forensic examination.

Authorities announced plans to seize the the property and vehicle allegedly used to transport the drugs. The government of Liberia called on citizens to support the investigation by reporting credible information to law enforcement authorities, assuring the public that witnesses' accounts will be protected.

The Joint National Security Investigative Task Force said further updates, including laboratory results, formal charges, and any additional arrests, will be announced as the investigation progresses.

This comes at the time when security authorities are still investigating a recent US$19.2m cocaine seizure at the Roberts International Airport. The just security says investigation established that international drug cartels are using Liberia as a transit point.

The sequence of Illicit drugs in the country, in most recent times, have left citizens calling for high security surveillance at entry points across the country.

Advocates have also joined calls for the government to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure all those connected to the waves of drug shipshipmentsthe country fafaces ce Justice.