Liberia: Govt Seizes Huge Cocaine Shipment

2 February 2008

Monrovia — A French naval gunboat Thursday night brought to shore a ship flying the Liberian flag carrying about 90 barrels of cocaine.

The ship - the Blue Atlantic - was headed for a port in West Africa when it encountered technical problems just 550 nautical miles from Liberia's territorial waters, said Jacques Girard, the French ambassador. The ship was headed to Lagos port or a port in Ghana.

The French Navy is reported to have intercepted communications from the ship. Its crew comprised nine people, including Ghanaian nationals.

The cocaine has been turned over to the Liberian authorities.

Justice Minister Phillip Banks told reporters that he contacted the Liberian Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for advice on how to dispose of the drugs. They are worth millions of dollars.

The head of security at the port in Monrovia, Ashford Peal, said the cocaine would have "destroyed the country had it made its way to the market."

The government began incinerating the drugs on Friday, despite warnings from the EPA over the health risks, according to reports.

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.