-President Boakai Vows Unrelenting Fight Against Drugs But…
By Jerromie S. Walters
MONROVIA, LIBERIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. declared that his administration would pursue the fight against illicit drug trafficking and organized crime with “deliberate, coordinated, and unrelenting” resolve— as Liberia’s immediate past vice president remains under detention while awaiting trial in the country’s drug bust case.
In an address to the nation on Wednesday evening, President Boakai noted that no office, status, or political connection would shield anyone from justice. Commenting on the high-profile arrest of former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, President Boakai sought to quell growing public tension and misinformation, framing the administration’s crackdown not as a political vendetta, but as a moral and national security imperative.
“This Administration will enforce the law without fear or favor while protecting the constitutional rights of every person,” Boakai said from the Executive Mansion. “Whether one has held high office, served in government, led a business, or lived as an ordinary citizen, the law must apply equally to all.”
The President’s address comes amid a significant escalation in Liberia’s anti-narcotics operations, which have recently netted several high-profile figures. The arrest and detention of former Vice President Taylor—a political heavyweight and ex-wife of jailed former warlord Charles Taylor—has drawn both domestic scrutiny and international attention, testing the resilience of Liberia’s fragile democratic institutions.
Boakai was unequivocal: the former Vice President is being treated in full compliance with the Constitution, enjoys the presumption of innocence, has access to legal counsel, and is entitled to due process. He stressed that it is not the President’s role to determine guilt or innocence, but that of an independent judiciary.
“Our democracy will be measured not by how we treat those with whom we agree, but by how faithfully we uphold the rights of every person who comes before the law,” he said.
Allegations Rock Security Apparatus
However, the President’s pledge of impartial justice has been complicated by separate allegations that have surfaced against some of his own top security officials. Activist Martin K. N. Kollie circulated claims on social media linking Justice Minister Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh Sr. and Liberia National Police (LNP) Inspector General Gregory Coleman to a drug cartel. The allegations specifically asserted that a white Toyota Land Cruiser Prado used by Minister Tweh was purchased with drug cartel money and provided to him via Police IG Coleman.
The Ministry of Justice swiftly issued a formal clarification, stating that the vehicle—bearing plate 0-13—is strictly state property. According to the Ministry, the vehicle was part of a broader, government-funded fleet of ten Toyota Land Cruiser Prados purchased for US$1.5 million for the LNP. It was officially requested by and assigned to the Ministry of Justice on November 10, 2025, and was not a gift from any private individual or cartel.
Both the IG and Minister have denied any direct cartel links, but the controversy has nevertheless shaken Liberia’s security apparatus at a critical moment. The allegations emerged during ongoing high-stakes investigations into massive cocaine busts in the country, further fueling public skepticism about the depth of narcotics infiltration within state institutions.
Dismissals and Double Standards?
The administration has already taken punitive action against several officials in connection to drug-network operations. President Boakai dismissed multiple high-ranking personnel at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) as part of the ongoing crackdown. Yet critics have pointed to what they perceive as a double standard, noting that no similar action has been taken against Tweh and Coleman despite the gravity of the allegations against them.
The scrutiny on the police leadership intensified after IG Coleman previously removed LNP Commissioner Col. Johnny Dean, following Dean’s alleged admission to accepting US$10,000 to compromise a drug case. That episode exposed internal vulnerabilities within the very agency tasked with leading the anti-narcotics fight.
Despite the swirling allegations and public outcry, President Boakai has publicly maintained his confidence in Inspector General Coleman, a stance that has drawn questions about whether the administration’s pledge of “without fear or favor” applies equally to those within its own ranks.
In his address Wednesday evening, Boakai framed the broader campaign as a central pillar of his ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, arguing that economic progress, education, and infrastructure cannot succeed without the rule of law.
“Drugs are destroying young lives, weakening families, fueling violence, and threatening our country’s future,” Boakai warned. “This is not simply a law enforcement issue; it is a national security and moral issue.”
He directed security institutions to act “professionally, independently, and without fear or favor,” and commended the Joint Security forces for their courage amid what he described as “attempts at intimidation and calculated misinformation.”
Boakai also appealed to political and religious leaders, civil society, and public commentators to act responsibly, urging them to reject rhetoric that could incite violence or undermine state institutions. He called on parents, communities, and youth to support prevention efforts and report criminal activity through lawful channels.
“Liberia has come too far to revert to a culture in which justice is swayed by fear, power, or political pressure,” he said, recalling the nation’s painful history of conflict and division. “We have shown resilience and commitment to peace. Let us preserve that peace by upholding the Constitution and strengthening the institutions that safeguard our democracy.”
The President concluded with a firm reassurance to Liberians, regional neighbors, and international partners: “We will govern without fear or favor, protect every citizen’s rights, and build a Liberia where peace is preserved, justice is impartial, and accountability applies equally to all.”
