By Uriahs Nyepan
MONROVIA – Liberia’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Cllr. Oswald N. Tweh, has disclosed the identities of eleven persons of interest linked to the ongoing investigation into the seizure of 237.6 kilograms of cocaine at Roberts International Airport (RIA), a shipment authorities estimate has a street value of approximately US$19 million.
Speaking during a major press conference on Friday, June 19, 2026, Cllr. Tweh said the individuals were identified through ongoing investigations being conducted by a Joint Security Task Force established to unravel what officials describe as a sophisticated drug trafficking operation.
Among those named are officials associated with GLS Menzies, the company responsible for cargo handling and inspection services at RIA. They include Paul J. King, Chief Executive Officer of GLS Menzies; Philip Yeoh, Security Manager of GLS Menzies at Roberts International Airport; Festus S. Musa, Cargo Handler at GLS Menzies; and Ruth Gbapaywhea, an RIA Scanner Agent.
Also named were Oscar Browne, Chief of Intelligence for RIA Security; Mohammed Gbowrah, Security Director at Roberts International Airport; Emmanuel T. Zeon, a transporter for Express Handling Services (EHS); Archie Nyanfor, a Cargo Handler with EHS; Arthur B. Abdullai, Chief Executive Officer of Express Handling Services; and Geraldine Zeon, an RIA Scanner Agent. According to the Justice Minister, several of the individuals named are currently at large, and authorities are actively pursuing efforts to locate them.
The Attorney General emphasized that the investigation remains active and has already yielded substantial evidence. He rejected claims that the government’s decision to publicly address the case was driven by mounting public criticism or pressure over the handling of the matter.
“We are not acting because of public pressure,” Cllr. Tweh stated. “The investigation has followed established legal and security procedures, and the Joint Security Task Force is committed to ensuring that all individuals connected to this criminal enterprise are brought to justice.”
He disclosed that investigators have conducted numerous interviews, gathered documentary and electronic evidence, and developed several leads pointing to what appears to be a complex network involved in the shipment’s handling, storage, and attempted export.
According to the Justice Minister, the task force has secured cargo manifests, surveillance footage, communication records, financial transactions, and other critical materials that are being maintained under strict evidentiary controls. He added that Liberian authorities are also collaborating with international law enforcement partners as part of the investigation.
Cllr. Tweh warned that any attempt to interfere with the investigation or tamper with evidence would be met with the full force of the law.
“Anyone found obstructing justice, destroying evidence, or attempting to influence witnesses will face prosecution,” he cautioned.
The Minister further called on all individuals named in the investigation to voluntarily surrender to authorities, stressing that cooperation with law enforcement could aid the pursuit of justice and accountability.
The seizure of the cocaine shipment is regarded as one of the largest drug interceptions in Liberia’s recent history and has heightened concerns about the country’s vulnerability to international narcotics trafficking networks. Authorities say further arrests and charges are expected as the investigation progresses as investigators continue to trace the full extent of the network behind the attempted export of the narcotics.
