“Inside Liberia’s US$19 Million Cocaine Mystery: New Arrest, New Name, Bigger Questions”

Monrovia, Liberia:The multi-million-dollar drug investigation surrounding the attempted shipment of suspected cocaine worth more than US$19 million through the Roberts International Airport has taken a new turn, with authorities charging an additional suspect while naming another individual as a person of interest in a case that continues to raise serious questions about Liberia’s fight against international drug trafficking.

The Joint National Security Investigation Team on Thursday announced the charging of Philip Yeoh Jr., an employee of Global Logistics Services/Menzies, following investigations into six boxes allegedly presented for shipment from Liberia to the United Kingdom as general cargo. The shipment was intercepted after security officers discovered a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine during screening and physical inspection.

According to investigators, Yeoh Jr.’s alleged involvement emerged after the discovery of the suspected narcotics, with authorities claiming that he communicated with a co-defendant and participated in efforts to negotiate the release of the seized consignment. He has been charged with Criminal Facilitation, Criminal Solicitation, Criminal Conspiracy, and Concealing Property Derived from a Drug Offense.

The latest development has intensified public attention on the security breach that allowed such a massive suspected drug shipment to move through Liberia’s main international airport. The case has raised concerns about possible weaknesses within the country’s cargo handling, logistics, and airport security systems.

In another major development, investigators named George Wha Harris as a person of interest in the ongoing case. Authorities said Harris was questioned during the investigation and was arrested and charged for what they described as unruly conduct. He has since been released into the custody of his legal representative as investigations continue.

The Joint National Security Investigation Team said the investigation remains active and warned that more individuals could face questioning or charges as additional evidence becomes available. "Additional individuals could be questioned or charged as more evidence emerges," authorities stated, signaling that the case may expand beyond those already identified.

The security team has also reminded the public that allegations against Yeoh Jr. and other individuals connected to the investigation remain subject to the judicial process. "All accused persons are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law," authorities emphasized.

The US$19 million suspected cocaine seizure has become one of Liberia’s most significant drug-related investigations in recent years, placing renewed pressure on national security agencies to uncover the full network behind the attempted shipment and determine whether more actors were involved.

As the investigation moves forward, attention remains focused on the outcome of the case, the accountability of those allegedly connected to the shipment, and whether Liberia’s security institutions can prevent future attempts by international drug networks to use the country as a transit route.