‘No Sacred Cows, No Untouchables’ as STAND-Led Coalition Demands Officials Step Aside in $19M Cocaine Scandal
MONROVIA- Ahead of the July protest against the drug bust at the Robert International Airport, Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND) Chairman Mulbah Morlu has vowed that Liberia’s $19 million cocaine scandal will not be buried under silence or selective justice.
By Jaheim T. Tumu- jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaonline.com
Morlu demanded that Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency boss Fitzgerald Biago, and National Security Advisor Kofi Woods step aside to allow an independent probe in the country’s most alarming drug trafficking case.
He called for the President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s son Tantan Boakai, National Port Authority Managing Director, Sekou Dukuly, and Liberia Airport Authority, Ernest Hughes to be investigated
“No sacred cows. No untouchables,” Morlu declared
In his remarks at a press conference, Morlu, who also alleged that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s son must be investigated, rejected IG Coleman’s recent indictment of one suspect as a “mockery,” insisting that the cartel behind the massive bust remains untouched.
“Gregory Coleman gave the public Paul King as bait to protect or shield the other big fish,” Morlu said. “We will unapologetically, irreversibly come outside on July 17 to ensure that the drug is kicked out of our country and impunity is ended.”
Morlu noted that accountability must reach the highest levels. “If Gregory Coleman and others refuse to step aside, then President Boakai will bear the responsibility of shielding individuals known to be drug traffickers at the highest echelon of governance,” Morlu warned.
“We will keep pushing until individuals capable of drug smuggling at the highest echelon are revealed, prosecuted, and convicted consistent with the due process of law.”
The Scandal That Shook Liberia
The scandal began in early June when U.S. intelligence tipped off Liberian authorities to a consignment of cocaine worth $19 million intercepted at Roberts International Airport.
Accordingly, Morlu said that for three days, the drugs reportedly sat undetected at the airport, raising questions about state oversight.
“Had it not been the United States intelligence capacity in the country, we would not have known about the $19 million worth of cocaine smuggled from Liberian soil,” Morlu said.
He argued the government’s response has been slow and selective. Of the five suspects indicted, only Paul King, general manager of Global Logistics Services, is in custody. Others, including Michael Brown, Oscar Gabriel, and Ousmane Ali, were indicted in absentia after leaving the country.
“It appears he waited for almost all the suspects to be at large, to leave the country before indicting them,” Morlu charged, accusing Coleman of shielding “big fish.“
Allegations of Collusion
Morlu alleged troubling ties between Coleman and Biago, who he also alleged serves as deputy police commissioner.
“We are hearing disturbing revelations that the two persons have an unholy relationship,” Morlu said. “If that relationship infringes on the integrity of their professional responsibilities to the state, then it must be subject to scrutiny. “
Such dual roles, he argued, compromise transparency. “What transparent investigative process are you conducting if the officer in charge of the LDEA is answerable to a man suspected of collusion with traffickers?” Morlu asked.
The STAND-led Coalition head also pointed to failures at the National Port Authority and Roberts International Airport, where the drugs entered.
“It didn’t come through a spiritual process. It came through the port of entry,” Morlu said, demanding accountability from NPA Managing Director Sekou Dukuly and LAA Managing Director Hughes overseeing those facilities.
Shielding the Cartel
Morlu insisted that international traffickers would not entrust $19 million worth of cocaine to “street hustlers.” Instead, he argues, senior officials must have facilitated the smuggling.
“International traffickers will not send $19 million worth of cocaine to Liberia and expect it to be conveyed by individuals who cannot even rent a room for themselves,” he said. “This is a regrettable lie intended to mislead public opinion and shield the cartel.”
He accused Coleman of using Paul King’s indictment as a distraction. “Gregory Coleman gave the public Paul King as a bait to protect or shield the other big fish,” Morlu charged, adding that King’s brother, Peter King, CEO of Global Logistics Services, remains “above the law” after refusing to cooperate with investigators.
Political Shadows
The scandal has cast suspicion on figures at the highest levels of government. Morlu cited reports that cocaine was repackaged with diplomatic stamps to ease international movement, suggesting involvement from the presidency or foreign ministry.
“Diplomacy is exclusively the prerogative of the president,” he said, demanding answers from President Joseph Boakai’s office. Vice President Jeremiah Koung has also been mentioned.
“The vice president is not above the law. He must also be called to question,” Morlu declared.
Vice President Koung has denied involvement, but Morlu argues his statement is insufficient. “To say ‘I don’t know what happened’ is not enough. We need credible independent investigators to dig deeper,” Morlu said.
Public Outrage and Protest Plans
Morlu’s message is fueled by what he sees as arrogance from officials. He accused Coleman of “insulting senators to protect drug smugglers” during a legislative hearing.
“They were arrogant, unrepentant, unapologetic,” Morlu said. “This man cannot continue to preside as chief investigator while he is suspected of collusion. “
The movement has announced a mass protest for July 17 under the slogan Name the Big Fish. “We will unapologetically, irreversibly come outside on July 17 to ensure that the drug is kicked out of our country and impunity is ended,” Morlu vowed.
National Security Failure
Morlu argues the scandal represents a catastrophic failure of Liberia’s security apparatus. “The process of $19 million worth of cocaine being smuggled on Liberian soil constitutes a massive national security failure,” he said.
“Individuals with national security oversight bear direct operational responsibility for this failure. They cannot continue to preside over any investigative process.”
He warned that drug smuggling threatens democracy itself. “Cocaine smugglers can even impact the outcome of elections,” Morlu said. “We do not want a situation where West African smugglers find our soil as a haven for the movement of resources disruptive to our democracy.”
Demand for an Independent Probe
Morlu emphasized that his call is not to render individuals guilty but to ensure an impartial investigation.
“We want to clear the innocent, indict the guilty,” he said. “The only way to get to the bottom of this matter is for investigators suspected of complicity to step aside.”
He stressed that no one should be considered untouchable. “Whether it’s Gregory Coleman, whether it’s Kofi Woods, whether it’s Biago from the LDEA, or President Boakai’s own son, they all need to be called to question,” Morlu declared. “There will be no sacred cows.”
A Nation’s Image at Stake
Morlu warned that Liberia risks becoming a “cocaine state” if the scandal is not addressed. “President Boakai must understand that it is not just his legacy, but the integrity of governance of our country that has been destroyed,” he said.
Morlu added, “He cannot sit idly by and allow our country to be a haven for drug trafficking.”
He accused the President of repeating empty promises. “At one point, he comes up and says, ‘No stone will be left unturned.’ He said that twice without action,” Morlu noted. “Those who are the smugglers are not in the jungle. They are right here, in offices, perhaps some in President Boakai’s office.”
