Liberia: Authorities Lose Track of Drug Dealers Involved in U.S.$100 Million Cocaine Shipment

23 May 2023
Nile Post (Kampala)

The authorities in Liberia say they've lost all trace of four suspected drug dealers linked to a $100m (£80m) cocaine shipment, after a trial jury unexpectedly acquitted them.

Last year, with assistance from the US and Brazil, Liberian security officials seized a container with more than 500 kilos of cocaine inside.

Four men - from Liberia, Portugal, Lebanon and Guinea-Bissau - were arrested in what was seen at the time as one of Liberia's biggest successes against drug smugglers.

But last week a jury in the capital Monrovia found them not guilty.

The justice minister condemned the decision, saying it had brought international ridicule on Liberia. He vowed to re-arrest them but they have since fled.

Liberian authorities have launched a manhunt for the suspects.

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