Lead

Liberian authorities have formally charged five people in connection with the seizure of more than 200kg of cocaine at Roberts International Airport in Monrovia, a case that has drawn renewed attention to the country's anti-drug efforts. The shipment, valued at approximately $19 million, was discovered in early June and has prompted a high-level investigation ordered by President Joseph Boakai.

Coverage comparison

The Guardian reported the seizure as one of the largest in Liberia's history, with the cocaine falsely declared as Maggi seasoning cubes. The shipment was discovered on 8 June, and the suspects were named at a weekend press briefing. The Guardian quoted Inspector General Gregory Coleman describing the operation as "a serious transnational cocaine trafficking operation using Liberia's aviation and logistics system as a channel for organised crime."

AllAfrica reported that the seizure occurred on Sunday, June 7, 2026, when authorities intercepted a six-box consignment presented for export. The inspection uncovered 198 plates of cocaine weighing approximately 237.6 kilograms. Although the shipment had been declared as ordinary commercial cargo, testing confirmed the presence of illicit narcotics.

Both reports note that the delay in naming suspects fueled public speculation and parliamentary scrutiny. The Guardian reported that Coleman was summoned to a special senate hearing, while AllAfrica detailed that senators examined the government's failure to make arrests since the seizure.

Key claims

  • Authorities seized more than 200kg of cocaine at Roberts International Airport, with an estimated street value of $19 million.
  • Five suspects have been formally charged, including Paul J. King, Operations Manager of Global Logistics Services, who is in custody in Monrovia.
  • The charges include unlicensed exportation, transportation, and possession of controlled drugs.
  • Inspector General Gregory Coleman led the investigation and presented the findings at a press briefing held after multiple delays.
  • President Joseph Boakai ordered a combined investigation by the police and the national anti-drug agency.
  • The investigation found evidence suggesting complicity by the logistics company that handled the shipment.
  • A similar drug seizure occurred in October 2022, when 520kg of cocaine was seized at Monrovia seaport, as reported by The Guardian.
Arrest warrants are expected to be issued in collaboration with Interpol for suspects who remain at large. AllAfrica reported that one suspect, believed to be attending an event in China at the time of the bust, has not returned to the country. Prosecutors also released contact details for a UK-based suspect, including a phone number and a Birmingham postcode.

Perspectives

Liberian authorities: Inspector General Gregory Coleman emphasized the seriousness of the operation and the evidence of logistics company involvement, while President Joseph Boakai vowed that Liberia would not serve as a safe haven for narcotics trafficking.

Parliamentary scrutiny: Lawmakers summoned Coleman to a senate hearing amid concerns about the delay in arrests, reflecting public anxiety that the investigation might be compromised to protect powerful individuals.