By Amos Harris
Monrovia — The Joint National Security Investigation Team, operating under the Ministry of Justice, has formally charged Philip Yeoh Jr. in connection with the attempted shipment of suspected cocaine through Roberts International Airport (RIA), deepening an investigation that has become one of Liberia’s most significant narcotics cases in recent years. According to investigators, the case involves six cargo boxes that were declared as general cargo and destined for the United Kingdom. During routine security screening and a subsequent physical inspection at the airport’s cargo terminal, authorities discovered a white powdery substance concealed within the shipment, which was later identified as suspected cocaine.
Mr. Yeoh Jr., an employee of Global Logistics Services (GLS)/Menzies, was questioned by investigators in the presence of his legal counsel and informed of his constitutional rights. Security authorities allege that after learning of the discovery, he communicated with a co-defendant and actively participated in efforts aimed at securing the release of the intercepted cargo.
The seizure sent shockwaves across the country after the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) announced on June 8, 2026, that officers had intercepted 198 compressed plates of cocaine weighing approximately 237.6 kilograms. Authorities estimate the street value of the drugs at US$19.2 million, making it one of the largest cocaine seizures in Liberia’s history. Investigators disclosed that the shipment was being processed for transport on a Brussels Airlines flight bound for Europe when it was intercepted, raising serious concerns about vulnerabilities within Liberia’s cargo handling and airport security systems.
LDEA Director General Fitzgerald T.M. Biago described the operation as a major success for Liberia’s security sector, attributing the seizure to enhanced intelligence-sharing and interagency cooperation. He warned that Liberia would not serve as a transit point, marketplace, or haven for international drug trafficking networks. Based on evidence gathered during the investigation, prosecutors have charged Mr. Yeoh Jr. with Criminal Facilitation, Criminal Solicitation, Criminal Conspiracy, and Concealing Property Derived from a Drug Offense. The charges are drawn from provisions of the Revised Penal Law and the Amended Controlled Drug and Substance Act of 2023. Authorities confirmed that he has been forwarded for prosecution before a court of competent jurisdiction.
In a related development, George Wha Harris has been identified as a person of interest in the case. Authorities said he was questioned by the Joint Security Team and briefly detained for alleged unruly conduct during the investigative process. He has since been released into the custody of his legal representative while inquiries continue.
The investigation has widened significantly in recent weeks. Government prosecutors have formally charged seven individuals, including GLS Operations Manager Paul J. King and the logistics company itself, alleging their direct involvement in facilitating, storing, and transporting the six-box consignment through the airport’s cargo chain. Another key suspect, Michael U.S. Browne, also known as Rahim or Raheem Bah, has been charged in absentia. Prosecutors allege that he organized the shipment, utilized fraudulent front companies, and attempted to recover the drugs after they were intercepted by authorities.
The growing scandal has also drawn the attention of lawmakers. The House of Representatives has summoned officials from the LDEA, Ministry of Justice, Liberia Revenue Authority Customs Division, and airport authorities to provide detailed explanations regarding the handling of the case and the identities of those involved. Legislators noted that the matter raises serious concerns about border security, accountability, and the effectiveness of anti-drug enforcement measures.
Despite the charges, the Joint National Security Investigation Team emphasized that all accused persons remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Investigators noted that the case has international dimensions and requires extensive forensic analysis, intelligence cooperation, and strict chain-of-custody verification before additional information can be released. Authorities further disclosed that more individuals could be invited for questioning or charged should new evidence emerge during the ongoing investigation. The public has been urged to avoid speculation and rely solely on official information released by the Joint Security Team.
Meanwhile, the magnitude of the US$19.2 million cocaine seizure has fueled growing public concern across Liberia. Many citizens are demanding greater transparency from the Ministry of Justice and other government institutions, arguing that the public deserves clear and timely answers regarding how such a large quantity of cocaine was able to enter the country’s cargo system. Calls are mounting for swift action, full disclosure, and accountability as Liberians await the outcome of what could become one of the most consequential drug-trafficking prosecutions in the nation’s history. In response, the Joint National Security Investigation Team has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a professional, impartial, and evidence-based investigation while ensuring that all individuals connected to the case are afforded due process under the law.
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