Joseph N. Boakai Jr., son of Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, has denied any involvement in narcotics trafficking after being named in a circulating video linked to the country’s largest cocaine seizures in nearly two decades.
Boakai Jr. confirmed on Wednesday that investigators have contacted him, but insisted he has “never participated in discussions involving narcotics trafficking” and “never facilitated illegal drug activity.” He welcomed what he called a “full, impartial, and thorough investigation.”
The video, which featured men claiming to possess samples from the Duazon seizure, referred to Boakai Jr. as family and threatened him for remaining silent. He said the situation began with a threatening WhatsApp message traced to Colombia, which he reported to Liberian authorities. He added that the footage omitted his rejection of the allegations.
Boakai Jr. acknowledged meeting Ibrahima Touré earlier this year through a mutual acquaintance, but said their conversations focused on sports and health care. He stressed that he has distanced himself from government activities since early 2024 to avoid perceptions of influence. “My relationship to the Presidency is one of family—not constitutional authority,” he said.
Calling drug trafficking “an unforgivable offense against Liberia,” Boakai Jr. pledged full cooperation with investigators and urged security institutions to pursue the case “without fear, without favor, and without political influence.” He also appealed to young people to join the fight against narcotics, stating: “No one—not even the son of a President—is above the law.”
His remarks come after four senior security officers—three from the Liberia National Police and one from the National Security Agency—were detained and questioned this month in connection with the Duazon seizure. None have been charged.
The Ministry of Justice has dismissed the allegations against the president and his family as “false and malicious.”
Liberian authorities seized 237.6 kilograms of cocaine, valued at about US$19.2 million, at Roberts International Airport on June 8, and approximately 3,971 kilograms, valued at US$317.7 million, at a residence in Duazon on July 21. The latter marks the largest drug bust in the country’s history.
