Gongloe Questions Government Handling of US$19M Cocaine Case, Says LDEA Is Being Overshadowed

Monrovia – Liberia People’s Party Political Leader, Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, has questioned the government’s handling of the reported US$19 million cocaine case, arguing that the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), rather than the Liberia National Police (LNP), should be leading public communication on the investigation.

Gongloe made the remarks following an earlier press conference by the Minister of Justice and a recent media briefing by the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, during which authorities provided updates on the investigation and announced charges against individuals linked to the case.

During the briefing, investigators disclosed that the LNP had charged Paul J. King and Global Logistics Services (GLS). Authorities alleged that King, in his capacity as Operations Manager of GLS, and the company, through its operational structure, conspired to receive, facilitate, store and transport a six-box cocaine shipment through the airport cargo chain.

Investigators said the charges are based on witness testimony, documentary records, call logs, digital evidence, forensic findings and the reconstruction of the cargo chain conducted by the Joint Special Investigative Team.

Reacting to the government’s approach, Gongloe said the decision to place the case under joint security operations instead of allowing the LDEA to lead publicly has created uncertainty.

“The LDEA is the legally mandated institution with the authority, expertise and trained personnel to investigate drug-related crimes,” Gongloe said. “It was established specifically to combat narcotics offences and should therefore be at the forefront of both the investigation and public communication.”

He further accused the Liberia National Police of overlapping responsibilities assigned by law to the LDEA, while acknowledging that several individuals have already been charged in connection with the case.

Gongloe maintained that information released directly by the LDEA would inspire greater public confidence and credibility, adding that the agency should not appear to be taking a back seat in one of Liberia’s most high-profile narcotics investigations.

Meanwhile, the Liberia National Police have forwarded Paul J. King to the Monrovia City Court for arraignment as legal proceedings continue.