As demands grow for answers, accountability, and transparency in the US$19.2 million drug bust, an investigation by Verity News has identified alleged key individuals and detailed how the cocaine shipments were reportedly stored before being transported to Roberts International Airport (RIA).
The investigation revealed that when the drugs entered Liberia, they were kept at the residences of GLS General Manager Paul King and GLS CEO Peter King.
Following these findings, the public has raised several questions, including how the first 100 kilograms and later 233 kilograms of cocaine entered the country, who facilitated their movement, how they were transferred to private residences, and why a company identified as “Emre Venn” was listed as the consignor.
The report has also increased calls for the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) to investigate Andy Abdullai as a person of interest, following statements attributed to him suggesting that the US$19.2 million worth of cocaine was stored at the residences of Paul and Peter King.
It further references statements attributed to a nurse linked to Paul King, who allegedly gave similar accounts to investigators.
The investigation has raised broader concerns about airport cargo handling procedures and has renewed calls on the Ministry of Justice to take further action.
These include freezing the bank accounts of GLS Mengies and EHS Africa Logistics, as well as those of senior executives; obtaining call logs from telecom providers; and reviewing CCTV footage from both companies and the airport cargo facility.
There are also calls for the extradition of Paul Jamaal King from the United States, and for the arrest or detention of individuals previously named as persons of interest, including Peter King and Arthur Abdullai.
Public pressure is also mounting for the suspension of GLS and EHS operations at RIA pending investigation, along with a review of cargo handling procedures and airport security systems. Some have also called for the suspension or removal of individuals holding positions in public or institutional bodies, including references to appointments at NOCAL and the Liberia Tennis Federation.
This paper further unearthed that the first consignment-about 100 kilograms of cocaine packed in four boxes-arrived at the RIA cargo facility on May 22, 2026, at around 15:30. It was transported in a yellow taxi and allegedly delivered by Emmanuel Zeon, a staff member of Express Handling Services (EHS) Africa Logistics. The shipment was received at the GLS-managed cargo screening area by airport handling staff.
The cargo was allegedly subjected to X-ray screening under airport security supervision, but the imaging reportedly produced unclear results. Standard procedures requiring physical inspection and joint verification by relevant agencies were not fully followed. Despite this, the shipment was cleared for export.
It departed Liberia on May 22, 2026, at 21:06 on Brussels Airlines flight SN241. It transited through Brussels, Belgium, on May 23 and continued on flight SN2103, arriving at London Heathrow Airport later that evening at about 22:25.
The estimated street value of the 100-kilogram shipment was placed at over US$8 million.
The second consignment, weighing about 233 kilograms, reportedly arrived at the same cargo facility on June 5, 2026, at around 16:10 and followed a similar route through the GLS-operated system.
Verity News investigation notes irregularities during its screening as well. Standard procedures were again not fully followed, and responsibility for X-ray inspection was reportedly shifted between personnel outside normal protocol. Screening records later indicated completion of checks, despite differing accounts over who conducted them.
The shipment was initially scheduled for export on June 12, 2026, but was intercepted on June 9, 2026, at approximately 02:13 during final clearance.
The investigative findings showed that both consignments moved through what it describes as a coordinated network involving individuals within and outside airport operations.
However, further names linked to the US$19.2 million case may be released in subsequent publications.
The investigation is ongoing.
