By Socrates Smythe Saywon | Smart News Liberia
MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Senators Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. and Amara Mohammed Konneh are demanding an independent investigation into Liberia’s US$19.2 million cocaine bust at Roberts International Airport (RIA), raising concerns over alleged security failures, unanswered questions surrounding the investigation, and the country’s preparedness to confront transnational organized crime.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, the two lawmakers acknowledged the efforts of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), the Liberia National Police (LNP), and other Joint Security institutions for intercepting approximately 237.6 kilograms of cocaine allegedly intended for international trafficking.
While commending the security agencies for preventing the shipment from leaving Liberia, Senators Snowe and Konneh said the circumstances surrounding the investigation require greater transparency and credible answers from authorities.
The senators welcomed the decision by the Liberia National Police to charge five individuals allegedly connected to the cocaine trafficking case, including Michael U.S. Browne, also known as Rahim or Raheem Bah; Paul J. King; Oscar Browne; Emmanuel Kpah; and Usman Ali.
According to police authorities, the individuals have been linked to the alleged criminal operation involving cocaine valued at approximately US$19.2 million.
However, Snowe and Konneh questioned why individuals identified during the investigation were not arrested before leaving Liberia, despite earlier assurances from security authorities that the investigation was progressing under their control.
The lawmakers asked whether suspects were placed under surveillance, whether operational failures occurred, or whether other circumstances allowed individuals connected to the alleged trafficking operation to escape the country’s jurisdiction.
“The Liberian people deserve full transparency regarding whether these individuals were under surveillance, whether operational failures allowed them to escape, or whether other circumstances contributed to their departure from Liberia’s jurisdiction,” the senators stated.
They argued that the seizure of a shipment worth millions of dollars, which allegedly passed through Liberia’s only international airport, raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of the country’s security system.
The senators noted that, based on available information, the only individual currently before the court reportedly returned to Liberia voluntarily and surrendered to national security authorities upon arrival at Roberts International Airport.
“If these are indeed the facts, they raise serious questions about the effectiveness of our security institutions and our commitment to combating transnational organized crime,” they stated.
Snowe and Konneh further questioned how a cocaine shipment of such magnitude could be intercepted without security agencies physically arresting any suspect before the individuals allegedly connected to the operation departed Liberia.
“How is it possible that a cocaine shipment valued at US$19.2 million could be intercepted without a single suspect being apprehended by our security forces before leaving the country?” they asked.
Beyond the individuals already charged, the lawmakers urged authorities to pursue the broader network allegedly responsible for financing, importing, transporting, and coordinating the operation.
They raised several unresolved questions, including:
Who financed the importation of the cocaine?
How did the drugs enter Liberia?
Where was the shipment stored, concealed, or repackaged before reaching the airport?
Who coordinated the logistics of the operation?
Were financial institutions or other entities used to move proceeds from the alleged crime?
Who are the additional local and international collaborators?
Were any public officials or security personnel involved directly or indirectly?
The senators also questioned how certain individuals were cleared during the investigation, including Emmanuel Zeon, identified in earlier discussions as the alleged transporter of the drugs, and Ruth Gbapaywhea, a Roberts International Airport screener accused of allowing suspicious packages to pass through security clearance.
They argued that the investigation must extend beyond those accused of directly handling the shipment and focus on uncovering the entire criminal network behind the alleged trafficking operation.
According to the lawmakers, drug trafficking presents a direct threat to Liberia’s youth, families, institutions, and national security, making a comprehensive and impartial investigation necessary.
They called for an independent inquiry supported by Liberia’s international partners to ensure that all individuals involved, including financiers, importers, traffickers, facilitators, and any public officials who may have aided the operation, are identified and prosecuted under the law.
“The Liberian people deserve nothing less than the full truth, complete accountability, and justice,” Snowe and Konneh declared.
The senators concluded by demanding answers from authorities, insisting that Liberia must establish how a major international drug trafficking operation reached Roberts International Airport and ensure that every person connected to the alleged crime is held accountable.
