Liberian authorities have brought charges against five individuals following one of the largest drug seizures in the nation’s history, after more than 200kg of cocaine was discovered disguised as Maggi seasoning cubes.

The consignment, estimated to be worth $19m (£14.2m), was uncovered at Monrovia’s international airport on 8 June. However, the identities of the suspects were not disclosed until a press conference held over the weekend.

“This operation uncovered a major transnational cocaine trafficking scheme that exploited Liberia’s aviation and logistics networks as conduits for organised crime,” said Inspector General Gregory Coleman late on Saturday. He added that investigators had identified links between this shipment and another processed in May.

The seizure sparked widespread public reaction in Liberia and led President Joseph Boakai to direct a joint inquiry by the police and the national anti-drug agency. “Liberia will not serve as a sanctuary, transit hub, storage site, financial centre, or operational base for criminal groups involved in narcotics trafficking,” he stated at the time.

Delays in revealing the suspects’ names stirred controversy in parliament, where Coleman was called to testify before a special senate session. The postponement fueled speculation that the investigation might be influenced to shield prominent Liberian figures.

On Saturday, Coleman said investigators had gathered evidence pointing to possible involvement by the logistics company responsible for handling the cargo. He then identified the suspects, who are facing charges related to the transport, possession, and illegal trafficking of controlled substances, as well as criminal conspiracy.

The primary suspect, identified as the firm’s operations manager, is currently detained in Monrovia. According to Coleman, arrest warrants will be sought in coordination with Interpol for those still at large. Another individual, reportedly attending an event in China at the time of the seizure, has yet to return to Liberia. Prosecutors also disclosed the Dutch phone number and a Birmingham address linked to a UK-based suspect.

The case has intensified concerns that west Africa, with its porous land and maritime borders, is increasingly being used as a key transit corridor for cocaine shipments moving from South America to European markets.

In October 2022, officials intercepted a container at Monrovia’s seaport containing 520kg of cocaine valued at $100m (£74.86m). One of the individuals named on Saturday had previously been arrested in connection with a separate drug-related investigation in 2024 and was later released.

In neighbouring Sierra Leone, one of Europe’s most sought-after drug traffickers has reportedly been residing in the capital, Freetown, since at least 2022. An investigation published in February 2025 revealed that he is in a serious relationship with the president’s daughter.

In May, Spanish authorities working alongside US and Dutch counterparts seized 45 tonnes of cocaine worth €812m (£694m) in what a Madrid court described as the largest cocaine seizure ever recorded in Europe. Officials said the cargo vessel, flying the flag of Comoros, was intercepted near the Canary Islands after departing from Freetown and listing Libya as its official destination. Another shipment that originated in Freetown was also confiscated on its way to Spain in February.