What happened
Liberian authorities have seized cocaine valued at over $370 million in the country's largest-ever drug bust, following a raid on a suspected illegal storage facility near Monrovia. Police chief Gregory Coleman confirmed that forensic tests identified the substance as high-grade cocaine, with dozens of sealed suitcases and boxes found inside a lorry. Several people were arrested, including two foreigners carrying Spanish, Colombian, and Serbian passports.
Why it matters for the market
The operation in Duazon, about 20 km east of Monrovia, was the result of a long-running investigation into drug-trafficking networks operating in Liberia. Coleman noted that major trafficking had resurfaced between 2018 and 2023, and surveillance over the past 18 months led to the seizure. The origin and intended destination of the drugs remain unclear.
This bust follows the interception of six cargo boxes at Roberts International Airport last month, falsely declared as food seasoning and textiles but containing nearly 200 compressed blocks of cocaine. That seizure sparked political controversy over slow response times, prompting President Joseph Boakai to order a joint investigation. Several suspects have been charged, and international arrest warrants are being pursued for others.
What traders should watch
West Africa is a key transit route for cocaine from South America to Europe, with at least 30% of cocaine destined for Europe passing through the region, according to the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime. Cocaine seizures in West Africa have risen steadily since 2019, reaching about 30 tonnes in 2025. Liberia has seen several high-profile drug seizures in recent years, including a 520 kg haul in 2022.
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