An indictment arising from Liberia’s major cocaine investigation has detailed an alleged effort to penetrate airport security and law enforcement systems after suspected cocaine was discovered at Roberts International Airport (RIA).
The allegations reveal a dramatic sequence in which a shipment initially presented as ordinary cargo allegedly triggered suspicion after airport personnel discovered a major discrepancy in its recorded and actual weight.
According to the Montserrado County Grand Jury indictment, the shipment was among several consignments allegedly connected to an international cocaine trafficking operation.
The indictment alleges that one shipment containing approximately 200 kilograms of cocaine was transported to Liberia after passing through an international cargo route from Brazil via London’s Heathrow Airport.
The cargo was reportedly presented under descriptions suggesting ordinary commercial goods.
According to prosecutors, the shipment eventually reached Liberia and was handled through cargo and logistics channels connected to Roberts International Airport.
The indictment alleges that Paul Jamaal King, identified as an operational manager of Global Logistics Services (GLS), was involved in arrangements surrounding the cargo.
It claims the shipment was initially delivered as cargo allegedly described as containing ordinary items before being moved to another location.
Prosecutors allege that the cargo was later taken back toward Roberts International Airport for shipment.
But the operation allegedly began to unravel when a GLS agent identified as Fastus Musa discovered a discrepancy between the actual weight of the cargo and the weight recorded on the shipment’s waybill.
The discrepancy reportedly prompted additional checks.
According to the indictment, a white powder-like substance was discovered and suspected to be a controlled drug.
The discovery allegedly transformed what appeared to be a routine cargo movement into a major narcotics investigation.
Rather than abandoning the shipment, however, prosecutors allege that individuals connected to the consignment began seeking ways to recover the suspected cocaine.
The indictment claims that George Harris, also identified as Leroy Harris, contacted LDEA personnel after the substance was discovered.
Two LDEA Special Agents, Clarence Clarke and Moses Jallah, are specifically named in the allegations concerning the attempted recovery of the cocaine.
According to prosecutors, Harris allegedly contacted the officers through WhatsApp and attempted to negotiate the return of the seized drugs.
The indictment alleges that an offer of US$100,000 was made in an attempt to secure the release of six boxes of cocaine.
The allegations then become more serious.
Prosecutors claim that Harris later gave US$5,000 to Moses Jallah, identified in the indictment as an LDEA officer, allegedly as a bribe or inducement to facilitate the exchange or return of the drugs.
The indictment therefore places law enforcement integrity at the center of the case, alleging that an attempt was made to use money to influence officers after a suspected narcotics shipment had already come under official scrutiny.
The case also raises questions about how much access individuals involved in the alleged operation had to the airport’s cargo and security environment.
The indictment names Michael U.S. Brown, also identified as Rahim Bah, and describes him as a former employee associated with Roberts International Airport.
Prosecutors allege that Brown had contact with King and was involved in arrangements concerning cargo shipments.
The indictment further alleges that Brown contacted an RIA security officer identified as Henry King and proposed providing money to facilitate the release of a shipment after one of the boxes had been opened and its contents suspected to be cocaine.
The prosecution claims that Brown and others subsequently attempted to move toward the airport to retrieve the drugs.
According to the indictment, Brown allegedly communicated with King and told him not to panic while he proceeded toward the airport.
The allegations suggest that the suspected trafficking operation did not depend solely on transporting narcotics.
Instead, prosecutors portray an alleged network that attempted to use personal relationships, cargo-handling arrangements, financial payments and access to airport and security personnel to move or recover the suspected drugs.
The indictment also alleges that a second shipment in May 2026 followed a similar pattern.
Prosecutors claim that four boxes of cargo were arranged and delivered through logistics channels before being intercepted and discovered to contain suspected cocaine.
The document alleges that payments were made in connection with that shipment and that the same or related individuals were involved in its movement.
The allegations have placed the security architecture surrounding Liberia’s principal international airport under renewed scrutiny.
RIA is a critical gateway for Liberia’s international trade, travel and cargo operations. Any successful exploitation of its cargo-handling system by an alleged narcotics network would raise serious concerns about screening procedures, logistics controls and the integrity of personnel operating around the facility.
The indictment also highlights the growing challenge facing Liberia’s drug enforcement authorities as international trafficking networks attempt to exploit legitimate transportation and commercial systems.
The charges include alleged unlicensed possession and unlicensed importation of controlled drugs and substances, with the indictment invoking Liberia’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
The writ of arrest issued by Criminal Court “C” orders the arrest of the named defendants and their appearance before the court to answer the charges.
Still, the allegations contained in the indictment have not been proven in court.
The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until a competent court determines otherwise.
