Dramatic Turn in Liberia's $19 Million Drug Probe: Whistleblower Names Cocaine Shipper

Liberia's ongoing investigation into the US$19 million cocaine seizure has reached a pivotal stage, with Paul Jamaal King, General Manager of GLS-Menzies, formally requesting witness protection and declaring himself a cooperating witness. King, along with his brother Peter Malcolm King, the company's Chief Executive Officer, had been designated as persons of interest by the Joint National Security Investigative Task Force in connection with the interception of approximately 237.6 kilograms of cocaine.

In a detailed voluntary statement submitted to the Ministry of Justice on June 13, 2026, King vehemently denied any prior knowledge or suspicion of prohibited substances within the shipment. He asserted that his involvement was strictly limited to that of a freight broker, acting in good faith within the ordinary scope of his professional responsibilities. King emphasized that he neither packaged, loaded, inspected, concealed, nor physically handled the cargo in question.

King's statement shed light on a longstanding business relationship with businessman Rahem Bah, which reportedly began in November 2024. Bah had initially approached GLS-Menzies for assistance with shipments to London Heathrow Airport, and further correspondence, including quotation requests, continued through early 2025. King stated that all prior shipments associated with Bah were processed through normal business channels without any reported concerns or irregularities, leading him to facilitate subsequent arrangements remotely based on Bah's status as a returning customer.

The specific June shipment that became the focus of the narcotics investigation was initiated around June 5, 2026, when Bah contacted GLS-Menzies for a quotation for cargo presented under the name Emre Group of Companies. King, being outside Liberia at the time, explained his lack of direct involvement in the physical handling, inspection, storage, or transportation of the cargo. He facilitated the arrangements remotely, relying on previous incident-free dealings with Bah.

A critical revelation in King's testimony concerns a significant discrepancy in the cargo's weight. Initially, the shipment, documented under Air Waybill No. 020-07407960, was declared to weigh approximately 198 kilograms, divided into six packages of about 33 kilograms each. However, airport processing later recorded the shipment at approximately 233 kilograms, creating a roughly 35-kilogram difference. This discrepancy prompted airline and airport personnel to inform the shipper that the cargo could not proceed until documentation accurately reflected the actual weight, leading to its rescheduling for June 12.

King's statement also brought into question the cargo screening and handling procedures at Roberts International Airport. He reported that GLS-Menzies personnel alerted relevant stakeholders that the shipment required additional verification after further screening. Personnel from EHS and airport authorities reportedly attempted to contact both the shipper and consignee for clarification regarding the cargo's contents. King was subsequently informed that officers from the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency arrived, collected samples, and confirmed the presence of cocaine. He stressed that cargo inspection, security screening, and acceptance procedures are the sole responsibility of specialized agencies and airport authorities, not under his control or supervision.

In light of these developments, King formally requested to be recognized as a cooperating witness and sought necessary legal protections. He also urged investigators to thoroughly examine several key issues, including the declared versus actual cargo weight discrepancy, the precise timeline of screening and custody, the handling of the cargo at the airport, CCTV footage and screening records, and communications among all parties involved. Furthermore, King called for a full and impartial investigation into the activities of Rahem Bah and any other individuals connected to the cargo.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed King's voluntary return to Liberia on June 21, stating that he surrendered to authorities and is currently assisting investigators. The Ministry emphasized that King's designation as a person of interest does not imply guilt and that he is entitled to all constitutional protections. His cooperation is expected to be crucial in uncovering the full network involved in the narcotics operation.

This testimony emerges amidst mounting public pressure on the Liberian government regarding the pace of the investigation, which is one of the nation's most significant drug cases. Critics have questioned the lack of major arrests despite weeks of investigation. King's account, particularly his identification of Rahem Bah as the alleged shipper, provides new leads and intensifies scrutiny on airport protocols and the chain of custody. While King continues to offer his cooperation to all relevant investigative bodies, authorities have not yet publicly announced any actions taken regarding Rahem Bah.