As the issue of reducing the increase of drugs remains the primary focus of every Liberian,
Montserrado County Electoral District #5 Representative, Prescilla Cooper, has called on the government to seek international assistance, specifically, in the ongoing investigation of the recent US$19.2 million narcotics trafficking case.
In her communication to Plenary, Rep. Cooper urged the House to encourage President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to immediately engage international partners to support the investigation.
She cited concerns that four of the five principal suspects reportedly connected to the drug shipment are currently outside the country’s jurisdiction, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
“The circumstances surrounding the case require robust international law enforcement cooperation to identify, locate, apprehend and prosecute all individuals responsible.”
Rep. Cooper said, Liberia can utilize existing international mechanisms, including the United Nations system, international police (INTERPOL), bilateral and multilateral security partnerships to strengthen the investigation.
She said, international technical, investigative, intelligence, forensic, and law enforcement assistance would reinforce the credibility, transparency, and effectiveness of the investigative process while ensuring that no suspect evades justice.
Rep. Cooper further recalled Pres. Boakai’s public commitment to treat the fight against illicit drugs as a national security priority.
“To seek international assistance would demonstrate the government’s resolve to pursue every lead, and hold all perpetrators accountable, regardless of their position or status.”
Rep. Cooper described the case as “more than an ordinary criminal investigation, adding: it represents a critical test of government’s commitment to combat transnational organized crime, strengthen the rule of law, safeguard national security, and restore public confidence in the justice system.
Rep. Cooper meanwhile, requested the House’s Plenary to adopt an appropriate resolution, or otherwise communicate its position to Pres. Boakai, encouraging the immediate engagement of international partners to assist in locating, investigating, apprehending, extraditing where appropriate, and prosecuting all individuals connected to the reported narcotics trafficking case in accordance with national and international law.
The House is expected to send her communication to its leadership for appropriate legislative action.