Liberian authorities acting on U.S. security intelligence have arrested two foreigners and launched a manhunt for two others suspected of trying to smuggle $100 million of cocaine seized in the West African country, officials said Tuesday.
The estimated value of the drugs is one-fifth of most of Liberia’s post-war annual budgets since the country’s civil war ended in 2003.
Announcing the arrest to newsmen in the nation’s capital on Tuesday, Liberia Justice Minister, Frank Musa Dean said. “We want to be clear that Liberia will not be a haven for drug traffickers — whether as a point of transit or destination. Those arrested will face the full force of our law.”
Authorities said one of the suspects, a citizen of Guinea-Bissau, was arrested in Monrovia, the capital. The second suspect, a Lebanese national, was nabbed while attempting to flee the country.
Authorities are still searching for two other people — Brazilian and Portuguese nationals — who are still on the run, a spokesman for the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency said Tuesday.
Officials have said that 520 kilograms (1,146 pounds) of cocaine were concealed in a huge consignment of frozen poultry products that had been delivered to a cold storage facility near Monrovia’s seaport.
Drug enforcement agency personnel acting on the American tip reportedly stormed the facility moments after the container had arrived.
