The recent interception of over 237 kilograms of cocaine, valued at a staggering US$19 million at Roberts International Airport (RIA) has generated public interest as many Liberians continue to wonder as to who owns the drugs and brought it into the country with the Government of Liberia naming at least ten persons of interest in connection with the shipment of the of over 237 kilograms of cocaine.
Liberians are demanding accountability in the ongoing investigation with many saying that the seizure of the over US$19 million worth of cocaine is a critical wake-up call regarding the integrity of the country’s national security architecture.
Critics say while the government’s move to form a Joint Security Taskforce is a standard administrative step, the ongoing silence surrounding the investigation is beginning to erode public trust a commodity far more expensive than the drugs themselves.
While Liberians welcome the ongoing investigation and the questioning of persons of interest, they are at the same time, calling on the government to find and prosecute those who are behind the shipment and the real owners of the over 237 kilograms of cocaine.
As the New Newspaper report, over the weekend, the Ministry of Justice has named 10 persons of interest in connection with the US$19.2 million narcotics shipment seized at Roberts International Airport, as investigators probe what Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald Tweh described as lapses across multiple stages of the airport’s cargo handling chain.
Disclosing the list Friday during a delayed Press briefing, Cllr. Tweh said evidence gathered to date shows the shipment moved through several operational points at RIA before detection though he declined to name the proper owners of the huge quantity of drugs.
The Justice Minister noted, “Evidence obtained to date indicates that the shipment passed through multiple stages of the cargo handling chain,” he told reporters.
According to the Ministry, the individuals listed as persons of interest include staff from RIA, ground handling companies, and private transport operators.
Those named include, Philip Yeoh-Security Manager, GLS Menzies at RIA, Festus S. Musa-Cargo Handler, GLS Menzies, Ruth Gbapaywhea-Scanner Agent, RIA, Archie Nyanfor-Cargo Handler, Express Handling Services, Arthur B. Abdullai-Chief Executive Officer, Express Handling Services, Geraldine Zeon-Scanner Agent, RIA and Mohammed Gbowrah-Security Director, Roberts International Airport.
Others are, Paul J. King-Chief Executive Officer, GLS Menzies, Oscar Browne-Chief of Intelligence, RIA Security and Emmanuel T. Zeon-Transporter, Express Handling Services.
The Ministry emphasized that being named a person of interest does not imply guilt or criminal charges. “It means investigators are seeking information from these individuals as the probe continues,” he added.
Cllr. Tweh’s disclosure marks the first official confirmation that the narcotics did not bypass RIA systems at a single point.
RIA’s cargo process typically involves customs inspection by the Liberia Revenue Authority, ground handling by companies like GLS Menzies and Express Handling Services, warehousing, and airline/forwarding agent checks.
Sources close to the investigation say customs officers, ground handling staff, and airport security personnel are among those being questioned to determine where oversight failed.
The US$19.2 million seizure, announced earlier this month, ranks among Liberia’s largest drug busts. It has intensified national debate on airport security, customs enforcement, and inter-agency coordination at the country’s main gateway.
The case has also revived calls for accountability after Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah pledged that the Boakai administration would not “bury” the matter like previous high-profile drug cases.
With Liberia grappling with rising drug abuse among youth, the outcome of this investigation is being watched as a test of the administration’s commitment to justice sector reform and transparency. The Ministry of Justice said investigations remain ongoing and promised further updates as evidence develops.
