MONROVIA – The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) is facing increasing public pressure to come clean in circumstances surrounding the $19 million cocaine bust.
The latest to add its voice to the national drug saga is the civil society organization, Solidarity and Trust for a New Day or STAND, which has given a 72-hour ultimatum to the Drug Agency, demanding public disclosure of all individuals and entities connected to the RIA cocaine seizure .
In a press statement released on Saturday, STAND-led coalition which is organizing the July 17, 2026 “Lead or Leave” protest, said Liberians deserve full transparency regarding one of the country’s largest reported narcotics interceptions.
The coalition argued that while authorities have announced the seizure, the identities of those believed to be behind the shipment remain unknown to the public. STAND rejected suggestions that the international nature of the investigation should justify prolonged secrecy.
According to the coalition, the true measure of Liberia’s commitment to combating drug trafficking will not be the seizure itself but whether those responsible for financing, facilitating, protecting, and benefiting from the shipment are identified and prosecuted.
STAND also acknowledged the role of the United States Government and other international partners, whose intelligence-sharing, technical assistance, and cooperation reportedly contributed to the operation.
The group further called for an independent international investigation into the cocaine case and other unresolved narcotics-related matters. It urged the United States, European Union, United Nations, and other international partners to support a transparent and internationally monitored probe.
The coalition said it had reviewed information and allegations from multiple sources regarding the seizure, including claims linking twin Liberian brothers, Paul King and Peter King, to an alleged wider drug trafficking network involving warehouse facilities at the Freeport of Monrovia, freight-forwarding operations, and a logistics chain extending to Roberts International Airport.
However, STAND emphasized that the allegations remain unproven and should be independently verified through a credible investigation.
The group also expressed concern that several individuals believed by many to be lower-level actors remain in detention while questions persist regarding other persons allegedly connected to the case. Among those reportedly detained are Mohammed Gbowrah, Ruth Gbapaywhea, Archie, Festu Musa, Philip Yeoh, and a cook reportedly employed by Peter King.
In its statement, STAND called for a broader investigation into all individuals and institutions with authority, access, oversight responsibilities, security functions, or operational control connected to the shipment.
The coalition said investigators should determine whether negligence, abuse of office, institutional failures, protection networks, or criminal conduct may have contributed to the movement of narcotics through Liberia.
As part of its recommendations, STAND called for scrutiny of officials and institutions connected to security, customs, airport operations, port management, and cargo clearance processes. The coalition stressed that mentioning public officials does not imply guilt but reflects the need for equal scrutiny and accountability.
“Nobody should be above investigation, and no institution should be beyond scrutiny,” the statement said.
The coalition maintained that all individuals suspected of involvement should face the same level of investigation and legal treatment, regardless of their status, wealth, influence, or political connections.
As part of its ultimatum, STAND demanded that the LDEA, within 72 hours, publicly disclose the identities of suspects and persons of interest, cargo manifests and shipping records, names of importers and freight-forwarding companies connected to the shipment, details of customs and security clearances, information on any public officials under investigation, and a comprehensive update on the status of the case.
About The Author
