Liberia: Several Police Officers Under Interrogation Over Record Cocaine Seizure

What the report says

AllAfrica, carrying reporting from The Liberian Investigator in Monrovia, reported that Liberia’s police intelligence chief and three other security personnel are being questioned in connection with what authorities have described as the country’s largest cocaine seizure. The report identified those under interrogation as Liberia National Police intelligence chief Olufemi Briggs, highway patrol chief Waddell Kwabo, major crimes head Anthony Blade, and National Security Agency operative Jamal Robert. None has been charged, and the report emphasized that they remain presumed innocent.

The case became public after Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman told journalists that Col. Johnny Dean, deputy commissioner for crime services, had been removed from his post, interdicted and referred for internal review. Coleman said Dean allegedly admitted receiving US$10,000 linked to the investigation, while saying Dean was not accused of trafficking the cocaine itself. Coleman said any criminal culpability would be referred to court.

According to the report, investigators are examining claims that some security officials helped move or protect the drugs. It also cited sources saying the NSA led a raid on a Monrovia money bureau after Robert allegedly described where money had been kept. The outlet said it had not independently reviewed call records, interrogation files or evidence inventories, and police and NSA officials did not respond to its questions.

The seizure took place at Duazon in Margibi County on July 21, according to Coleman, who said 3,971 kilograms of cocaine were recovered with an estimated street value of about US$317.68 million. The report said the NSA is seeking to shift the inquiry from police control to its headquarters, under Ministry of Justice supervision, amid concerns that the investigation has reached senior police ranks.