By Jerromie S. Walters
MONROVIA – Corruption has infiltrated Liberia’s largest-ever narcotics investigation, with the dismissal of a senior police intelligence chief over allegations he accepted a US317 million cocaine seizure.
Liberia National Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman announced the dismissal of Chief of Intelligence of Unit 106, Johnny Dean, on Thursday, saying the officer was immediately relieved of his duties and has been replaced by the Deputy Police Commissioner for Interpol Intelligence and Investigation.
Dean has been turned over to the Police Professional Standards Division for a full investigation into the allegations, Coleman said. According to the Inspector General, the alleged bribery occurred while the two suspects were under police custody as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation into the seizure of approximately 3,971 kilograms of suspected cocaine
The drug was recovered at a location in the VOA Community along the Roberts International Airport Highway in Duazon, Margibi County. “This is a clear warning to all senior officers who think they can use their positions to jeopardize investigations,” Coleman declared. “Anyone who engages in unethical conduct or attempts to bring this government into public disrepute will face the full weight of the law.”
The Inspector General stressed that the Police administration would not tolerate any officer using his or her position to undermine criminal investigations or compromise the integrity of law enforcement.
The Drug
The case involves two foreign nationals—a Serbian national and an individual with dual Colombian and Spanish nationality—who were taken into custody in connection with the seizure. Investigators also recovered diving suits, a firearm, GPS tracking devices, a drone, and Starlink satellite internet equipment from the premises.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed on July 22 that the Joint National Security Investigative Task Force is examining the origin, ownership, method of transport, and intended destination of the seized substances, as well as the identities and roles of all persons who may be connected to the operation.
The investigation has revealed an organized, sophisticated, complex, and well-funded narcotics trafficking network that may have been operating in Liberia for more than six years, authorities said.
The controversial past:
Dean’s dismissal is not his first encounter with disciplinary action. He was previously dismissed from the Liberia National Police but was reinstated in 2017 under the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. A 2017 press statement announced his reinstatement following a Ministry of Justice investigation into allegations of armed robbery and criminal conspiracy.
The report of corruption has left serious concerns, with many questioning the honesty of the US$10,000 bribe, arguing that the bribery could be more than that considering the drug value.
Liberian-American Security Expert Alfred Jahn Johnson raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the alleged bribe, noting that the suspects had been in custody for only two days before the alleged payment was made.
“To believe that they got confidence, over the course of just two days, to give a highly-placed police leader US$10,000 for ‘some comfort’ is a bit difficult to accept,” Johnson said. “There is a possibility that the LNP leader’s involvement may be beyond just giving mere ‘comfort’ while the suspects are in custody.”
Coleman reaffirmed the Police’s commitment to pursuing every lead in the case, regardless of who may be implicated. “The Liberia National Police stands prepared to follow every piece of evidence wherever it leads,” he said. “This is the people’s Police, serving the people’s government. We want to assure Liberians that we will go beyond every investigation to ensure that whoever commits a crime is prosecuted in accordance with the law.”
MoJ Caution:
The Ministry of Justice has cautioned the public against speculation regarding the identities or culpability of individuals who have not been formally charged, stating that persons currently being questioned are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in accordance with the law.
“The Government of Liberia remains resolute in its determination to prevent Liberia from being used as a transit corridor, storage location or operational base for illicit narcotics trafficking and transnational organized crime,” the Attorney General stated. “Any individual, regardless of nationality, position or status, against whom credible and admissible evidence is established will be held accountable in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Liberia.”
The Joint National Security Investigative Team has assured the public that the seized substances and other pieces of evidence are being maintained under established evidence-management and chain-of-custody procedures. Further information regarding laboratory findings, formal charges, and additional arrests will be released as the investigation progresses.
