By Christian Appleton
Weah Village, Maryland County, Liberia – June 3, 2025 – In a brazen act of alleged industrial theft, a driver employed by Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL) reportedly diverted a company tanker truck carrying a massive 10,000-gallon load of palm oil, attempting to transfer the valuable contents to another vehicle before fleeing the scene. The incident, unfolding near Weah Village, has sparked a police investigation and reignited concerns over internal controls and working conditions within the palm oil giant.
The suspect, identified as William Toe, is accused of veering significantly off his designated transport route. He was en route to the Port of Harper, GVL’s primary export hub for palm oil harvested from its vast plantations in Maryland and Grand Kru counties, when the alleged diversion occurred.
According to eyewitnesses and local sources, Toe is believed to have driven GVL Truck #13 into a remote, muddy area. There, he allegedly coordinated the transfer of the substantial palm oil cargo into a second, waiting tanker truck. However, the audacious plan hit a snag when GVL Truck #13 became deeply mired in the mud, rendering it immobile and forcing its abandonment.
GVL’s security team, alerted to the deviation, successfully tracked the vehicle to the remote location. Upon discovery, the truck was found empty, devoid of its driver, William Toe, and the valuable palm oil.
As of press time, William Toe remains at large, and the Liberia National Police (LNP) has launched a full-scale investigation into the theft. Authorities have confirmed they are actively pursuing multiple leads in their efforts to locate the suspect and ascertain whether other individuals were involved in what appears to be a sophisticated operation. The scale of the alleged theft, involving such a significant quantity of palm oil, suggests a pre-meditated and coordinated effort.
This incident has quickly drawn public scrutiny to GVL’s internal oversight mechanisms. Critics are asserting that recurring instances of employee misconduct, including theft, may be symptoms of weak internal controls and potentially subpar working conditions within the company.
“The company has to take some responsibility,” remarked a concerned resident from a nearby community. “This is not the first time we are hearing of workers stealing from them. Maybe if they paid better, this wouldn’t happen.” This sentiment highlights a common perception among local communities that economic pressures and perceived inequities could contribute to such illicit activities.
Golden Veroleum Liberia has yet to issue an official statement addressing the incident or the growing community concerns. However, pressure is mounting on the company to thoroughly review its security protocols, employee vetting processes, and employment practices in light of this high-profile theft.
As the LNP’s investigation continues, residents, industry analysts, and stakeholders are closely monitoring how both law enforcement and GVL will respond to what many are characterizing as one of the boldest acts of industrial theft in the region’s recent memory. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for GVL’s reputation and its relationship with its host communities in southeastern Liberia.
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