The ‘ghost’ Comoros-flagged Cargo vessel “IB Atlantic IV,” that strangely docked in the territorial waters and exclusive economic zone of Liberia but later disappaeared after it was being pursued by a Liberian Coast Guard mission, has finally arrived in Liberia.
Speaking to Verity News, two customs and docking agents assigned at the Port of Monrovia, who prefer anonymity, confirmed that the ‘mysterious’ vessel is finally in Liberia after it was arrested in Ivory Coast on August 9, 2026 by a joint maritime security mission under the Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF) framework. The operations were led by the Armed Forces of Liberia.
“…We can confirm to you that “IB Atlantic IV Maroni” is currently here in Liberia. It came through Maryland County under the command of the Liberian Coast Guard (LCG) as reflected in the manifest. The vessel is now in the custody of the Coast Guard. We don’t know what is in it yet and who are the crew members, because a full check or investigation has not been done,” the sources said.
The Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF) was established to combat piracy and other transnational maritime crimes affecting 26 diverse countries which have over 6,000 kilometers of coastlines, stretching from Senegal to Angola.
Launched on June 1, 2026, the Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF) is a bold joint initiative led by six countries including Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
According to a letter in possession of this paper, it was dismissed RIA Deputy Managing Director for Operations and a major supect of the US$336 million drug bust, Mark Egon Kuiah, that wrote for IB Atlantic IV to be authorized berthing priveleges into Liberia’s waters. Mark Kuiah is yet to be jailed amid increasing public doubts about the transparency of the ongoing investigation.
