By Amos Harris
Vice President Jeremiah Koung issued one of his strongest public statements to date on Monday, following a viral video involving a staff member of the Group of 77 and officers of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA). The incident has triggered widespread public anger and renewed concerns about potential political interference in drug-related cases.
The video, which has spread rapidly across social media, captured a heated confrontation between the staffer and LDEA officers. The footage immediately raised suspicions about whether individuals connected to high-ranking officials might be enjoying undue protection.
Amid growing pressure, Vice President Koung moved quickly to distance himself from the scandal, declaring that no family member, associate, employee, or acquaintance would be shielded if found complicit in drug-related activities.
“Let me state this with absolute clarity and without contradiction: anyone, and I mean anyone, connected to me by whatsoever means… who engages in drug-related activities will face the full weight of the law,” Koung said in a strongly worded statement.
He further stressed that even those closest to him, including his wife, children, and siblings, would not be spared from prosecution.
- “Whether it is my wife, my children, my siblings, or anyone linked to my office, the law will take its course without hesitation and without interference,” he affirmed.
The Vice President’s remarks come as the Boakai administration faces mounting calls to demonstrate genuine political will in combating narcotics trafficking, which remains one of Liberia’s most persistent social and security threats.
Critics argue that tough talk is no substitute for action, insisting that the government must ensure full transparency and independent investigations, particularly when individuals tied to politically connected figures are implicated. Many recall previous administrations making similar pronouncements yet rarely delivering accountability.
Seeking to protect his own credibility, Koung denied ever having links to drug activities and warned political actors against exploiting the controversy for personal gain.
- “I want to inform the public that I have never engaged in any drug business in my life. We will not allow anyone to use our name for political games,” he stated.
He reaffirmed his support for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s anti-drug campaign and vowed not to allow the scandal to undermine the integrity of his office.
- “We will continue to follow the President’s vision to ensure that drug trafficking and abuse remain illegal in Liberia. We will not allow anyone to damage the image of our office because of their political motives,” Koung asserted.
As the LDEA continues its investigation into the incident, public attention now turns to whether the Vice President’s uncompromising rhetoric will be followed by credible and impartial action—something Liberians have long demanded but seldom seen in cases involving politically connected individuals.
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