PHOTO: Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald Tweh addressing a news conference on Friday
At long last, the Liberian government of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has revealed the names of ten persons of interest it says are linked to the US$19 million cocaine bust at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) but no top government officials or well-known public figure has surfaced on the list so far.
The revelation was made today, Friday, June 18, 2026 by the country’s Attorney General and Justice Minister, Cllr. Oswald Tweh at a news conference in Monrovia.
“As part of the ongoing investigation, and based upon evidence gathered to date, including witness statements, cargo documentation, operational records, and preliminary investigative findings, the Joint Investigative Task Force has designated the following individuals as Persons of Interest:
• Philip Yeoh – Security Manager, GLS Menzies, Roberts International Airport
• Festus S. Musa-Cargo Handler, GLS Menzies
• Ruth Gbapaywhea – RIA Scanner Agent
• Archie Nyanfor – Cargo Handler, Express Handling Services (EHS)
• Arthur B. Abdullai – CEO, Express Handling Services (EHS)
• Geraldine Zeon, RIA Scanner Agent
• Mohammed Gbowrah – Security Director, Roberts International Airport
• Paul J. King, CEO, GLS Menzies – Currently at large
• Oscar Browne, (Chief of Intelligence of RIA Security) – Currently at large
• Emmanuel T. Zeon (Transporter for Express Handling Services)– Currently at large
But the Justice Minister was quick to point out that those named persons of interest “does not a determination of guilt”.
“We will confront this threat with determination, professionalism, and resolve. Those who seek to profit from the suffering of our people or undermine the security of our nation will find no refuge in Liberia.”
“Every individual remains entitled to the constitutional protections guaranteed under the laws of the Republic of Liberia, in accordance with due process,” the Liberian Justice Minister added.
After big public call for the Executive Mansion to weigh in in the US$19.2 million cocaine seizure at the country’s only international airport, Roberts, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai broke his silence on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 with this assurance:
The anxiety and public suspicion being displayed in the local media are perhaps based on the biggest cocaine case which went into flux few years ago, when the former CDC government of ex-President George Manneh Weah could not punish anyone responsible for the US$100 million cocaine that came through the Freeport of Monrovia.
On the evening of Thursday, May 18, 2023, the defendants in Liberia’s biggest narcotic drug case were found not guilty by the empaneled Jury of the Criminal Court “C” in the Liberian capital. Defendants In US$100M Cocaine Case Found Not Guilty In Liberia – News Public Trust
The very skeptical public have all been thinking whether this latest US$19.2 million cocaine bust will go the same way.
However, Justice Minister Tweh has told the Liberian people that, “he Government of Liberia remains committed to transparency consistent with the requirements of due process of law and the protection of ongoing investigative activities. As significant developments occur, the public will be informed accordingly.”
Below is full text of the Justice Minister’s statement earlier today, Friday:
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STATEMENT BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA ON THE STATUS OF THE JOINT NATIONAL SECURITY INVESTIGATION INTO THE SEIZURE OF 237.6 KILOGRAMS OF COCAINE AT ROBERTS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
JUNE 19, 2026
Fellow Liberians,
Following the directive of His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., and pursuant to the mandate of the Ministry of Justice, a Joint National Security Investigative Task Force was constituted, comprising the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, the Liberia National Police, the National Security Agency, and other relevant security agencies including the Executive Protection Service, the Financial Intelligence Agency, the Liberia Immigration Service, Customs Authorities, Airport Security, the Ministry of Justice, to conduct a comprehensive criminal investigation into the seizure of approximately 237.6 kilograms of cocaine intercepted at the Global Logistics Services Menzies Warehouse at Roberts International Airport on June 8, 2026.
Since its activation, the Task Force has commenced an intensive, evidence-driven investigation aimed at establishing the complete chain of criminal responsibility associated with this shipment. Investigators have conducted formal interviews, secured documentary and electronic evidence, identified additional investigative leads, and initiated actions aimed at locating and apprehending suspects believed to be connected to the importation, concealment, transportation, and attempted exportation of the narcotics.
Today, I provide this update to the Liberian people in the interest of transparency, accountability, and public confidence, while safeguarding the integrity of an active criminal investigation.
The Joint Investigative Task Force commenced operations and interviews conducted thus far have generated significant evidentiary leads and have revealed a complex network of individuals connected to the movement, handling, processing, screening, storage, and attempted shipment of the cargo that was ultimately discovered to contain cocaine.
The Task Force is receiving operational, technical, intelligence, and regulatory support from relevant government institutions and international law enforcement partners. These collaborative efforts remain critical to ensuring a comprehensive investigation and the successful identification of all persons and entities connected to this matter.
Evidence obtained to date indicates that the shipment passed through multiple stages of the cargo handling chain. Investigators are examining not only the events surrounding the June 8 seizure but also whether previous shipments associated with the same actors may form part of a broader criminal enterprise operating within and beyond Liberia’s borders.
As part of the ongoing investigation, and based upon evidence gathered to date, including witness statements, cargo documentation, operational records, and preliminary investigative findings, the Joint Investigative Task Force has designated the following individuals as Persons of Interest:
• Philip Yeoh – Security Manager, GLS Menzies, Roberts International Airport
• Festus S. Musa-Cargo Handler, GLS Menzies
• Ruth Gbapaywhea – RIA Scanner Agent
• Archie Nyanfor – Cargo Handler, Express Handling Services (EHS)
• Arthur B. Abdullai – CEO, Express Handling Services (EHS)
• Geraldine Zeon, RIA Scanner Agent
• Mohammed Gbowrah – Security Director, Roberts International Airport
• Paul J. King, CEO, GLS Menzies – Currently at large
• Oscar Browne, (Chief of Intelligence of RIA Security) – Currently at large
• Emmanuel T. Zeon (Transporter for Express Handling Services)– Currently at large
The Government of Liberia wishes to make it unequivocally clear that the designation of an individual as a Person of Interest does not constitute a determination of guilt. Rather, it signifies that investigators have identified information and evidence requiring further examination. Every individual remains entitled to the constitutional protections guaranteed under the laws of the Republic of Liberia, in accordance with due process.
At the same time, let there be no misunderstanding: no individual will be exempt from scrutiny because of position, influence, occupation, political affiliation, social standing, or economic status. Every lead will be pursued. Every relevant witness will be interviewed. Every financial and communication trail will be examined. Every person connected to this operation will be investigated wherever the evidence leads.
For this reason, strict investigative safeguards have been implemented. Documentary records, cargo manifests, airway bills, surveillance footage, electronic communications, financial records, screening logs, access-control records, and other relevant materials have been secured and placed under evidentiary control to prevent loss, destruction, alteration, contamination, or unauthorized disclosure.
Instructions have been issued to all relevant institutions, agencies, companies, and individuals to preserve any records, electronic data, devices, communications, documents, or materials that may have evidentiary value to the investigation. Any attempt to conceal, destroy, tamper with, fabricate, remove, or interfere with evidence will be treated as a serious criminal offense and prosecuted accordingly.
The Task Force has also established protocols governing witness interviews, evidence handling, forensic examinations, intelligence sharing, and interagency coordination to ensure that all investigative activities meet the highest legal and professional standards required for successful prosecution before the courts of Liberia.
The Government is equally committed to protecting witnesses and preserving the integrity of testimonies. Individuals possessing relevant information are encouraged to cooperate fully with investigators. Measures are being put in place to ensure that witnesses can provide information without fear of intimidation, retaliation, or interference and the public informed accordingly.
Accordingly, our objective extends beyond arrests and prosecutions, and shipment of narcotics. It is focused on identifying and dismantling any criminal network that may have facilitated, financed, protected, transported, concealed, export, or attempted to export these illicit substances through the territory of the Republic of Liberia, and permanently destroy any criminal organization connected to this operation.
The Ministry of Justice recognizes that successful prosecution of a case of this magnitude depends not merely on identifying Persons of Interests/suspects but on preserving the integrity of the evidence upon which future prosecutions will be based.
To those currently at large, the Government’s message is clear: surrender yourselves to the authorities. National and international efforts are underway to locate and apprehend all Persons of Interests connected to this matter. Those who attempt to evade justice will find that time does not diminish the reach of the law.
The Government of Liberia remains committed to transparency consistent with the requirements of due process of law and the protection of ongoing investigative activities. As significant developments occur, the public will be informed accordingly.
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