Members of the Liberian Senate during the Wednesday, July 1, 2026 plenary session accused the government of protecting Michael Brown, former Robert International Airport (RIA) staff who was dismissed and sent to prison on Drug charges, also at the center of the current $19.2M drug bust at the R.I.A to shield some prominent individuals linked to drug trafficking in Liberia.
According to the report, Michieal was recently sentenced to five years in prison on drug-related charges but was released clandestinely before resurfacing in the recent $19.2 million drug bust.
They alleged that the government may be protecting the former airport employee while innocent individuals are being targeted in the ongoing investigation.
During the Senate’s plenary session on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, several lawmakers raised concerns over the reported release of Michael Brown, a former Robert International Airport employee who was previously convicted on drug-related charges. Brown is also said to be a central figure in the ongoing investigation into the massive drug seizure at the airport.
According to reports presented before the Senate, Brown was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment after being convicted on drug-related offenses. However, lawmakers questioned reports that he was quietly released from the Monrovia Central Prison before completing his sentence and later resurfaced in connection with the US$19.2 million drug trafficking case.
During the session, River Cess County Senator Bill Teahway challenged Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman over Brown’s reported release.
“Mr. Gregory Coleman, is Michael Brown being protected to shield prominent individuals believed to be behind this drug trafficking saga?” Senator Teahway asked.
Lawmakers argued that Brown’s early release, coupled with his subsequent disappearance while remaining one of the principal suspects in the latest drug case, has heightened public suspicion
In response to the growing concerns, the Liberian Senate mandated its Judiciary Committee to conduct a separate investigation into the circumstances surrounding Brown’s reported release from the Monrovia Central Prison.
Announcing the decision, Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence said the committee has been tasked with determining when Brown was released, the legal authority under which he was freed, and whether due process was followed.
She noted that Brown’s reported reappearance in connection with the larger drug trafficking investigation has raised serious concerns among members of the Senate and the Liberian public.
Meanwhile, Nimba County Senator Samuel Kogar has called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to immediately suspend Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman, the Officer-in-Charge of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Biago, as well as officials of the National Security Agency (NSA).
According to Senator Kogar, suspending the officials would help restore public confidence and demonstrate the government’s commitment to conducting an independent and credible investigation into one of Liberia’s largest reported drug trafficking cases.
Following the Senate’s step, the public is concerned to know of why is EHS role in the shipment has been any different from Paul King’s role as an intermediate broker? Why is IG and team focusing on ending the investigation at Paul King doorstep when it is obvious he was only a broker and that his evidence clearly shows Michael Browne “Rahem Bah” was the organiser of the shipment, while it’s reported the men had accomplices within the RIA Security and possibly a joint security network at Roberts Airport?
It’s also alleged that Paul King’s affiliation to GLS is now the narrative behind the need to go after their concession despite a huge investment over the last nine years with no breach or infraction of the law. Is this the strategy to circumvent a legitimate agreement and replace it with their cronies?
GLS Menzis has confirmed through a press statement that their internal processes stopped this shipment on Friday 5 June, even when it had already been cleared by security as safe and secure to fly.
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