By Vaye Abel Lepolu
MONROVIA, Liberia – The Liberia National Police (LNP) has formally charged Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA) officer Moses Jallah with multiple criminal offenses for allegedly obstructing the investigation into the attempted export of 237.6 kilograms of cocaine, valued at approximately US$19.2 million, through Roberts International Airport (RIA).
According to the police charge sheet, Jallah has been charged with Hindering Law Enforcement, Obstruction of Government Function, and Tampering with Criminal Investigation,in violation of Liberia’s Revised Penal Law. The charges stem from his alleged conduct before and after the June 7, 2026 seizure of the cocaine shipment at the airport.
Investigators allege that the drug shipment was disguised as six boxes containing lappas and Maggi cubes and was scheduled for export to London aboard a Brussels Airlines flight. Airport security officers became suspicious after discovering discrepancies in the declared weight of the cargo and later identified suspicious images during an X-ray screening.
A physical inspection conducted on June 7 reportedly uncovered a white powdery substance concealed inside one of the boxes. Authorities subsequently suspected the substance to be cocaine and launched an investigation.
Police say the investigation uncovered attempts by several individuals to have the shipment released before law enforcement authorities could seize it. According to investigators, substantial cash offers ranging from several hundred dollars to **US$100,000** were allegedly made to airport security and law enforcement officers in an effort to facilitate the release of the cargo.
The charge sheet further alleges that entertainment businessman **George Harris, also known as Leroy Harris**, contacted LDEA officers stationed at RIA, including Commander Clarence Clarke and Deputy Commander Moses Jallah, requesting that the shipment be released in exchange for a cash payment.
Although investigators acknowledge that the shipment was never released, police accuse Jallah of later meeting privately with Harris at his entertainment center after learning of his alleged connection to the cocaine shipment. Authorities further claim that Harris told investigators he handed Jallah **US$5,000** during that meeting.
Police contend that despite having information linking Harris to the attempted drug export, Jallah failed to arrest him or immediately notify his superiors of the encounter, actions investigators describe as hindering the criminal investigation.
During questioning, however, Jallah denied any wrongdoing. He told investigators that he acted on instructions from his commander to monitor suspicious cargo at the airport and that he immediately reported attempts by Harris to bribe him with US$100,000 in exchange for allowing the shipment to leave the airport.
Jallah further claimed that he visited Harris later that evening solely to gather intelligence and that he subsequently relayed the information obtained during the meeting to his superiors. He also maintained that he had been tracking Harris as part of an ongoing intelligence operation related to suspected drug trafficking activities.
Despite his explanation, investigators concluded that the evidence gathered during the investigation established probable cause to charge him with criminal offenses relating to obstruction of the investigation.
The case forms part of Liberia’s largest cocaine trafficking investigation in recent history, following the seizure of **237.6 kilograms of cocaine** at Roberts International Airport on June 7, 2026. Several individuals have since been charged in connection with the attempted export of the illicit drugs.
Moses Jallah has been forwarded to court, where he is expected to face trial before a court of competent jurisdiction.
