Monrovia – The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police (LNP), Col. Gregory O. W. Coleman, has identified five principal suspects in connection with the US$19 million cocaine seizure at the Roberts International Airport (RIA), saying several of them are currently on the run.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh-websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com
Addressing journalists late Saturday, Col. Coleman said the Joint Special Investigative Team relied on witness testimony, documentary records, call logs, digital evidence, forensic findings, and a reconstruction of the cargo chain to identify the suspects.
According to him, the suspects have been criminally charged under the Amended Controlled Drugs and Substance Act of 2023 and Chapter 10 of the Revised Penal Code of Liberia.
The five suspects named are Paul J. King, Michael U.S. Browne, Oscar J. Browne, Emmanuel Kpah, and Usman Ali.
Regarding Paul J. King, the Police IG said investigators found that King, acting as Operations Manager of Global Logistics Services (GLS), along with the company itself, conspired to accept, facilitate, store, and transport the six-box cocaine consignment through the airport cargo chain.
He added that the investigation further established that GLS, through its management structure, provided substantial assistance to the trafficking operation.
“Accordingly, Paul J. King and GLS have been charged under Chapter 14 Sections 84, 85, 89 and 93 of the Amended Controlled Drugs and Substance Act of 2023 and Chapter 10 Sections 2, 3, and 4 of the Revised Penal Code of Liberia, Captioned,” Col. Coleman said.
He added: “Unlicensed exportation of controlled drugs or substances, unlicensed transportation and trading in transit of controlled drugs or substances, unlicensed possession of controlled drugs or substances, Illicit trafficking in controlled drugs or substances, criminal conspiracy.”
Speaking on Michael U.S. Browne, alias Rahim, Col. Coleman said investigators linked him to organizing the shipment, using bogus front companies, coordinating cargo falsely declared as Maggi cubes and lappas, and attempting to recover the cocaine after it had been discovered.
“He has been charged in absentia under Chapter 14 Sections 84, 85, 89 and 93 of the Amended Controlled Drugs and Substance Act of 2023 and Chapter 10 Sections 2, 3, and 4 of the Revised Penal Code of Liberia, Captioned,” he said.
Coleman added: “Unlicensed exportation of controlled drugs or substances, unlicensed transportation and trading in transit of controlled drugs or substances, unlicensed possession of controlled drugs or substances, illicit trafficking in controlled drugs or substances and criminal conspiracy.”
On Oscar J. Browne, the Police IG said investigators established that he scanned and cleared similar cargo shipped on May 22, 2026, and made repeated calls to colleagues regarding the June 5 shipment that was seized on June 7, 2026, at Roberts International Airport in an effort to secure its release after authorities had already discovered the contents.
“He has been charged in absentia under Chapter 14 Sections 84, 85, 89 and 93 of the Amended Controlled Drugs and Substance Act of 2023 and Chapter 10 Sections 2, 3, and 4 of the Revised Penal Code of Liberia,” he said.
Coleman further stated: “Unlicensed exportation of controlled drugs or substances, unlicensed transportation and trading in transit of controlled drugs or substances, unlicensed possession of controlled drugs or substances, illicit trafficking in controlled drugs or substances and criminal conspiracy.”
The investigation also identified Emmanuel Kpah as the individual who allegedly delivered the shipment and associated cash linked to the cargo transaction.
“He has been charged in absentia under Chapter 14 Sections 84, 85, 89 and 93 of the Amended Controlled Drugs and Substance Act of 2023 and Chapter 10 Sections 2, 3, and 4 of the Revised Penal Code of Liberia,” IG Coleman said.
He added: “Unlicensed exportation of controlled drugs or substances, unlicensed transportation and trading in transit of controlled drugs or substances, unlicensed possession of controlled drugs or substances, illicit trafficking in controlled drugs or substances including criminal conspiracy.”
The fifth suspect, Usman Ali, was identified by police as the UK-based consignee of the shipment.
“He has been charged in absentia under Chapter 14 Sections 84, 85, 89 and 93 of the Amended Controlled Drugs and Substance Act of 2023 and Chapter 10 Sections 2, 3, and 4 of the Revised Penal Code of Liberia,” IG Coleman said.
Police said Ali also faces charges of unlicensed exportation of controlled drugs or substances, unlicensed transportation and trading in transit of controlled drugs or substances, unlicensed possession of controlled drugs or substances, illicit trafficking in controlled drugs or substances, and criminal conspiracy.
Col. Coleman said law enforcement agencies are pursuing all suspects believed to be evading justice.
Police IG quoted: “All suspects who are in hiding, outside the country, or otherwise evading the process of law are being pursued through every lawful means available to the Republic of Liberia, including arrest warrants, international law-enforcement cooperation, extradition requests, and mutual legal assistance mechanisms where applicable.”
He emphasized that the investigation into the May 2026 shipment and all related consignments remains active, noting that authorities are treating the matter as a broad criminal network investigation rather than a single drug seizure.
“We are treating it as a network investigation aimed at identifying every participant, financiers, organizers, handlers, couriers, facilitators, insiders, and foreign links,” Col. Coleman said.
He warned that no individual or institution found to have participated in or obstructed the investigation would be spared.
He furthered: “Any public official, security officer, airport official, private company, or corporate actor found to have knowingly participated in this scheme, attempted to obstruct the investigation, or compromised the integrity of the seizure will face the full consequences of the law.”
The Police IG also disclosed that authorities are working to strengthen cargo-control systems, chain-of-custody procedures, screening protocols, and internal safeguards at Roberts International Airport and throughout Liberia’s cargo-handling system.
Appealing to the public, Coleman said the case should concern every Liberian because of the far-reaching consequences of narcotics trafficking.
“To the Liberian people, this case should concern every citizen because narcotics trafficking is not a victimless enterprise. It corrodes institutions. It finances organized crime. It corrupts public systems. It destroys lives and communities. And it places Liberia’s name at risk in the international community,” he said.
Coleman concluded with a strong warning to drug traffickers: “We will not allow criminal networks to hide behind company names, false airway bills, airport access, political connections, or cash inducements. We will not permit public institutions to be bent to the service of traffickers. And we will not retreat because the people involved may be influential, connected, or embedded in political or commercial systems. If you traffic drugs through Liberia, we will pursue you.”
