Published: June 15, 2026
PAYNESVILLE — Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and United States Chargé d’Affaires Joseph Zadrony used the graduation of 193 police and drug enforcement recruits Friday to hold up the US$19 million cocaine seizure at Roberts International Airport as proof that years of investment in Liberia’s security sector are paying off, with Zadrony calling the bust “a dividend of years of sustained U.S.-Liberia investment.”
Ngafuan, delivering the keynote address at the Liberia National Police Training Academy, said the Boakai administration remains committed to strengthening security institutions and pledged continued efforts to expand domestic revenue to fund further improvements. He described security as a cornerstone of the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
The minister said he had toured newly renovated facilities at the academy before speaking and came away satisfied that public resources were being used responsibly. “I came here as a keynote speaker, but I also came on an advanced budget hearing,” he said. “What I saw demonstrates that the resources provided by government are being wisely used.”
Ngafuan praised the growing cooperation between the Liberia National Police and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, calling the cocaine interception at RIA evidence that joint operations and intelligence sharing are working. He said stronger coordination among security institutions is essential as Liberia confronts narcotics trafficking and organized crime.
The finance minister reserved his sharpest remarks for the graduating officers themselves, warning that criminal networks routinely use money to compromise law enforcement and that integrity is the only reliable defense.
“We can never pay you as much as drug dealers will pay you to tempt you,” he said. “It is your values that must make you strong enough to resist temptation. You should wear the uniform not only on your body but also in your character.”
Ngafuan called drug abuse one of Liberia’s most pressing challenges, particularly among young people, and urged newly commissioned LDEA officers to remain vigilant. He acknowledged the role of families and personal values in shaping disciplined officers and said the government would continue supporting law enforcement as it combats crime and trafficking.
Zadrony reinforced the message, framing the graduation and the drug seizure together as evidence of a security partnership delivering real results.
“The Government of Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development places Security Sector Reform at the center of national progress, and rightly so,” he said. “Development cannot take root where insecurity thrives. The rule of law is not a backdrop to prosperity; it is a precondition for prosperity.”
The American diplomat said the seizure of 198 compressed cocaine plates valued at more than US$19 million showed that U.S. training, mentorship and logistical support were building genuine capacity. “That result is not an accident,” he said. “It proves that friendship builds real capacity, protects Liberian communities, and degrades the capacity of criminal networks.”
Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. Oswald Tweh told the graduates that the credibility of the justice system depends on the integrity and competence of the officers who enforce it. Inspector General of Police Gregory O.W. Coleman called the ceremony a proud milestone and urged the new officers to serve with honor. LDEA Officer in Charge and Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitzgerald Sam Biago reminded the graduates of their duty to protect communities from illicit drugs and organized crime.
Police Training Academy Commandant DCP Sadiattu L.M. Reeves announced the successful completion of training by the 193 recruits drawn from both the LNP and the LDEA and highlighted major improvements to the academy’s facilities. Senate Security Committee Chairman Sen. Moses T. Cyrus described the graduation as a demonstration of Liberia’s commitment to stronger institutions, and Solicitor General Cllr. Augustine Fayiah encouraged the officers to remain disciplined and accountable.
The 193 officers were commissioned and sworn into service at the close of the ceremony.
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