Monrovia, Liberia: Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti has rejected allegations linking her office, Liberia’s diplomatic pouch system and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the country’s ongoing narcotics investigations.
Speaking Thursday at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing in Monrovia, Nyanti maintained that the allegations were false and unsupported by credible evidence.
Her appearance followed an August 5 statement from the Foreign Ministry denying claims that she authorized or approved the use of a diplomatic pouch for illegal narcotics activity.
The Foreign Ministry said diplomatic pouches and parcels operate under international rules governing communications between governments, embassies and international organizations.
It said its role involves facilitating diplomatic privileges for accredited missions and institutions operating in Liberia.
Nyanti specifically rejected claims that she signed off on any diplomatic pouch connected to the cocaine investigation.
The ministry warned that unproven accusations risk damaging Liberia’s diplomatic relationships and weakening international confidence in the country’s fight against organized crime.
The minister also disclosed that Liberia had contacted several international partners to support the investigation.
The countries and institutions named included the United States, United Kingdom, Morocco, Spain, Serbia, the Netherlands and the European Union.
According to the ministry, Liberia requested technical expertise, intelligence cooperation, investigative support, specialized training and other assistance needed to confront transnational narcotics trafficking.
The statement did not identify which partners had formally responded or committed resources.
Nyanti’s remarks followed an August 4 government statement rejecting allegations circulated by Spoon Television Network linking her to drug trafficking.
The government described the allegations as unfounded and urged media institutions to verify information before publication.
No publicly available evidence reviewed for this report substantiates claims that Nyanti authorized the movement of narcotics through a diplomatic pouch.
The government’s denial also does not replace the need for an independent investigation into every credible lead surrounding the cocaine cases.
The dispute has emerged during intense public scrutiny of Liberia’s handling of major drug seizures.
Authorities continue investigating the seizure of 237.6 kilograms of cocaine at Roberts International Airport.
Security officials placed the estimated street value at US$19.2 million.
A separate operation at Duazon in Margibi County led to the seizure of a much larger quantity of suspected cocaine and further allegations involving people connected to security and government institutions.
The Foreign Minister’s statement comes after Liberia’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh met U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Joe Zadrozny in Monrovia in a follow-up meeting.
The U.S. Embassy said Zadrozny reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s justice sector as authorities work to hold criminal networks accountable and protect communities from illicit trafficking and financial crime.
The embassy also described its partnership with the Ministry of Justice as central to advancing security, justice and the rule of law in both countries.
The timing of the meeting supports the government’s position that international engagement over organized crime and narcotics investigations was already taking place.
It does not amount to a U.S. endorsement of the government’s denial concerning Nyanti or the diplomatic pouch allegations.
The United States has not publicly announced the outcome of Liberia’s request for assistance in the current cocaine investigations.
It has also not publicly identified any individual as responsible for operating or protecting the trafficking networks under investigation.
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