By Jamesetta D Williams
Monrovia- The Liberia National Police (LNP) said it has arrested more than 60 foreign nationals, including a significant number of Chinese citizens, following a coordinated security operation targeting an alleged criminal network suspected of engaging in cybercrime, counterfeiting and other offenses.
Police Inspector General Col. Gregory O. W. Coleman disclosed the arrests Thursday at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing in Monrovia, saying the operation followed months of surveillance by a joint national security team.
According to Col. Coleman, security authorities executed multiple search and seizure warrants at three locations in the Rehab Community, SDK Community and Baptist Seminary Community after investigators gathered information linking the sites to suspected criminal activities.
He said the warrants were issued by the Monrovia City Court because the locations fell within its jurisdiction. “During the operation, police arrested between 60 and 70 foreign nationals,” Col. Coleman said. “Chinese nationals made up a significant portion of those detained, while authorities were still working to establish the identities and nationalities of some of the other individuals.”
“Police also seized more than 200 mobile phones, over 50 computers, internet connectivity and storage devices, along with other electronic equipment.”
Col. Coleman said investigators found multiple applications and numerous WhatsApp accounts on some of the seized phones, with some devices reportedly containing as many as 20 WhatsApp accounts.
Authorities also recovered more than US$2,000 in cash, precious minerals and what the Inspector General described as more than US$1.3 million in counterfeit United States currency.
The Police Inspector General said the evidence recovered has raised concerns about possible cybercrime, forgery, counterfeiting, economic sabotage and other criminal activities.
He said investigators are examining the electronic devices and other materials seized during the operation to determine the full nature and scope of the alleged activities.
“We are working together to start to look into those pieces of devices and have a detailed understanding of what these crimes involve,” Col. Coleman said.
He acknowledged that the investigation requires specialized technical support, particularly in analyzing the large amount of digital evidence recovered.
According to him, the government has requested assistance from international partners, including the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to help analyze the digital evidence.
He also said the government has reached out to the Chinese government because of the large number of Chinese nationals among those arrested, particularly to assist with language-related issues during the investigation.
Col. Coleman said the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Labor have also been informed about the operation.
He explained that the Ministry of Labor had previously attempted to conduct a routine labor inspection at one of the locations but encountered resistance and later required law enforcement assistance.
The Police Inspector General said the location had already been under surveillance for some time as part of the broader investigation.
He said information obtained during the investigation led security authorities to other locations, prompting the execution of the search and seizure warrants.
Col. Coleman further indicated that the investigation could have a transnational dimension, although he cautioned that authorities have not yet reached a definitive conclusion.
“It seems transnational. However, until we can establish that, I’m not going to correlate with that,” he said.
According to the Inspector General, investigators have identified some suspected targets who are believed to be outside Liberia, leading authorities to examine possible connections beyond the country’s borders.
Meanwhile, Col. Coleman clarified that former Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency Officer-in-Charge Fitzgerald Biago was not suspended for allegedly facilitating or protecting drug cartels connected to the recently reported US$317 million drug case.
The clarification came amid public speculation surrounding President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s decision to suspend Biago.
Col. Coleman said the suspension was related to internal ethical and professional concerns rather than allegations that the former LDEA official protected or facilitated drug traffickers.
“The issue of former OIC Fitzgerald Biago being suspended was not about him facilitating or protecting drug cartels,” Col. Coleman said.
He explained that the action was based on what authorities described as compromised professional ethics and breaches of operational principles.
According to Coleman, Biago’s suspension was carried out at the will and pleasure of the President and was not a disciplinary action originating from the joint security apparatus.
The Police Inspector General said the administrative action should therefore be separated from the ongoing criminal investigation into the US$317 million drug case.
Col. Coleman urged the public to remain calm while investigators continue examining the evidence and determining the full extent of the alleged criminal activities.
He stressed that the arrests do not constitute convictions and that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
He said police may not provide frequent updates while the investigation remains active but promised that the public would be informed when authorities have verified information that can be released.
The Inspector General also warned individuals who may be planning to engage in criminal activities in Liberia to reconsider their actions.
“My message is very, very simple: think twice. Think twice before you step outside the confines of the law,” he warned.
Col. Coleman reaffirmed that Liberia is a country governed by law and said security institutions would continue to investigate suspected criminal activities and take appropriate legal action.
“This is a country of law and not of men,” he said.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities expected to provide additional information as investigators analyze the seized devices, verify the identities of those arrested and determine the extent of the alleged network.
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