MONROVIA, Liberia – Alternative National Congress (ANC) Political Leader Alexander Benedict Cummings has sharply criticized the Unity Party-led government over its handling of the ongoing investigation into the reported US$19.2 million cocaine seizure at Roberts International Airport, describing the process as “secretive, slow, and seemingly compromised.”
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Cummings said more than a month after authorities intercepted 198 compressed plates of high-grade cocaine, the government has failed to answer key questions surrounding the case, including how the drugs entered Liberia, who financed the operation, and whether those believed to be the masterminds have been identified.
“The investigation has been secretive, slow, and seemingly compromised,” Cummings declared, arguing that the government’s promise of a swift, transparent, and independent investigation has not been fulfilled.
He accused the administration of focusing its prosecution on what he described as “low-level handlers” while failing to pursue individuals who may have held positions of authority or influence.
“How does such a huge volume of cocaine enter any country and transit through without the knowledge and authority of people who have significant power? That is the million-dollar question the public is asking the government,” he said.
Cummings also raised concerns over testimony presented before the Liberian Senate indicating that Michael Brown, also known as “US Marshall,” a key suspect previously imprisoned on drug trafficking charges, had reportedly escaped custody and remains at large. He questioned how several suspects linked to the case could disappear despite government assurances that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Describing drug trafficking as a direct threat to Liberia’s national security, Cummings warned that the country’s growing drug crisis is devastating communities, fueling crime, and damaging the nation’s international reputation.
He referenced figures from the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency indicating that hundreds of ghettos across Monrovia and surrounding communities have become centers for drug abuse, saying the crisis has spread into rural Liberia and continues to destroy the lives of young people.
Cummings argued that the government’s handling of the investigation has eroded public confidence and called for an independent international inquiry.
“I will be leading the charge to encourage my friends in the international community to investigate, preserve, and audit the process surrounding the June 8, 2026, $19.2 million drug bust,” he said.
He further called on regional bodies, including the Mano River Union and ECOWAS, to activate early warning mechanisms and support efforts to ensure that everyone connected to the trafficking operation is investigated without political interference.
According to Cummings, the sophistication of the drug seizure suggests the involvement of transnational criminal networks capable of laundering proceeds through legitimate sectors of the economy, making regional and international cooperation essential.
He commended civil society organizations, the media, and the Liberian Senate for demanding transparency and urged Liberians to continue advocating peacefully for accountability.
Concluding his remarks, Cummings said the government has a duty to protect its citizens, uphold the rule of law, and safeguard the country’s future, warning that failure to confront the drug crisis decisively would have lasting consequences for Liberia’s democracy and development.
The government has not yet publicly responded to Cummings’ latest remarks. The investigation into the June 8 cocaine seizure remains ongoing.
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