Liberian politicians and activists have issued an urgent warning that the United Kingdom risks becoming a hub for illegal drugs after a series of massive cocaine seizures in the West African nation. More than £14 million worth of cocaine was discovered en route to the UK in Liberia last month, followed by a record £230 million bust in the capital, Monrovia, this week.
Record cocaine seizures spark alarm
Liberian authorities found over 200 kilograms of cocaine at Roberts International Airport on June 8, 2026. Six boxes falsely declared as Maggi seasoning cubes were destined for the UK via a Brussels Airways flight to Europe, according to the national police. Five people were charged, and prosecutors released the Dutch phone number of a UK-based suspect and his house address with a Birmingham postcode, as reported by The Guardian. Officials described it as part of a 'serious transnational cocaine trafficking operation' similar to an earlier shipment in May.
During investigations into that bust, officers discovered an additional £230 million worth of cocaine at a storage facility near Monrovia on July 21, 2026. It is not yet known whether that cocaine was also destined for the UK.
Senator issues SOS call to UK
Senator Amara Konneh, a former finance minister of Liberia, told Metro: 'This is an SOS call to the UK government not to overlook Liberia. By not helping Liberia, the UK is in danger of becoming a destination for cocaine and other narcotics.' He warned that drug lords and their enablers are intruding into Liberia, threatening the country's peaceful reconstruction. 'For this large quantity of cocaine to go through our country, repackaged for shipment, to Britain, was a serious intelligence and security failure.'
Konneh argued that the UK is not doing enough to assist Liberia and could be considered an 'enabler' of the problem. 'The UK has more sophisticated law enforcement to address drug trafficking than Liberia. We do not have any canine dogs and we do not have sophisticated scanners at the airport to detect contrabands and narcotics. The UK should redefine its relationship with Liberia to assist our security agencies with our capacity to address this issue.'
Protests and warnings from activists
The June 8 drug bust triggered large protests in Monrovia on July 17, organized by the campaign group Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND). Chairman Mulbah K. Morlu told Metro: 'The UK's silence and inaction could embolden the drug trade in Liberia. The UK's slow response or apparent lack of resolve could unintentionally benefit these dangerous networks, which may begin to view Liberia as a convenient transit hub for narcotics operations.' He warned that trafficking networks would exploit weaknesses to harm 'vulnerable neighbourhoods in the United Kingdom'.
West Africa as a transit route
The National Crime Agency (NCA), which declined to comment on the busts, works across West Africa to tackle drug trafficking. The region is regarded by international law enforcement as a key transit route for cocaine from South America to Europe. According to the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime, at least 30% of cocaine destined for Europe now passes through West Africa.
Some optimism on UK cooperation
Senator Edwin Snowe expressed more optimism, noting that Liberia's commissioner of police recently visited Britain. 'We know the UK is very strong against drugs and the UK has its own sophistication. I have no doubt that the UK will do everything possible to work along Liberian authorities.'
Brussels Airlines, the carrier involved in the June 8 shipment, stated: 'Brussels Airlines is aware of an ongoing investigation in the Republic of Liberia. At this stage, neither Brussels Airlines nor any of its current or former employees are subjects of this investigation. Brussels Airlines operates in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and upholds the highest ethical standards. We will fully cooperate with the authorities should our assistance be required.'
