The government’s first witness has testified against Global Logistics Services (GLS) Operations Manager Paul Jamaal King in the ongoing preliminary hearing into the alleged US$19.2 million cocaine shipment intercepted at Roberts International Airport (RIA).
Appearing before the Monrovia City Court on Tuesday, Chief Investigator of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Col. Mose Meah, told the court that investigators linked King to approximately 237 kilograms of cocaine that prosecutors say was destined for export to Europe.
Meah testified that during the investigation, King admitted that the six boxes later found to contain cocaine had been stored at his residence before they were transported to Roberts International Airport for shipment.
“Defendant Paul King admitted that the 237 kilograms of cocaine was at his house before it was taken to Roberts International Airport. On Friday, June 5, 2026, he contacted Mr. Arthur Abdullai, General Manager of Express Handling Services, to process six boxes for shipment,” Meah testified.
The witness further told the court that the shipment was declared as general cargo, with its contents listed as lappas and Maggi cubes.
According to Meah, after airport security discovered the suspected cocaine, Philip Yeoh Jr., an employee of GLS, contacted King to inform him about the seizure.
“After the discovery, Philip Yeoh contacted Paul King. He remained in communication with him and allegedly asked that efforts be made to secure the release of the shipment, promising that money would be provided,” Meah told the court.
The prosecution also alleges that investigators recovered WhatsApp conversations in which King discussed the shipment and later deleted parts of the messages after learning that the boxes had been opened.
The LDEA Chief investigator, while on the witness stand further alleged that King authorized the release of the six boxes from his residence and provided the consignee’s information for shipment to London through Brussels Airlines.
King, 53, has been charged with several offenses, including the alleged importation and exportation of controlled substances, unlicensed possession and transportation of controlled drugs, illicit trafficking, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation and criminal solicitation.
Prosecutors also allege that several other individuals were involved in the alleged trafficking operation, with some remaining at large.
The hearing was briefly interrupted after defense lawyers objected to the proceedings, arguing that the prosecution had failed to produce the original case file.
Stipendiary Magistrate Ben Barco upheld the objection and instructed prosecutors to present the original documents when the hearing resumes.
The preliminary hearing was adjourned until Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at the Monrovia City Court.
King has denied the allegations against him. The charges remain allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
