Written by: Mohammed Omran
In a surprising development, Liberia is witnessing one of the most serious drug trafficking cases in its modern history, after the seizure of a cocaine shipment valued at about $19 million turned into a highly complex case, revealing new leads that may completely redraw the course of the investigation.
Shocking twist in Liberia's biggest cocaine case involving $19 million
The ongoing investigation in Liberia into the seizure of a cocaine shipment estimated to be worth around US$19 million has taken a dramatic turn, after Paul Jamal King revealed the identity of the alleged cocaine exporter and formally requested witness protection, while denying any knowledge of the shipment.
King, the general manager of shipping and logistics company GLS-Menzies, and his brother Peter Malcolm King, the company's chief executive, were identified as persons of interest by the National Security Investigations Joint Task Force.
In a detailed voluntary statement submitted to the Justice Department and a copy of which was sent to the Witness Protection Agency, King denied any knowledge of the alleged cocaine shipment, asserting that his role was limited to being a shipping intermediary only, without any knowledge of the contents of the shipment.
The statement, dated June 13, 2026, is from King, who said he provided it to assist investigators and clarify his limited role, asserting that he was unaware of, or had any reason to suspect, that the shipment contained prohibited materials.
King stated in his testimony: “I had no knowledge, information, or reason to suspect that the shipment contained any prohibited substance.”.
long-term business relationship
King explained that the shipment was delivered to his company by businessman Rahim Bah, with whom he said he has had a business relationship since November 2024.
He noted that Bah initially requested shipping services to London Heathrow Airport, and correspondence between the two parties continued, including requests for additional quotes, and was handled within the company's official channels without any security concerns or violations being recorded.
June shipment under investigation
The June shipment became the focus of one of Liberia's biggest drug investigations, after authorities intercepted a shipment destined for export, which later turned out to contain about 237.6 kilograms of cocaine.
King explained that on June 5, 2026, Bah requested a price quote for another shipment in the name of one of the companies, stressing that he was out of the country at the time and did not participate in any stage of inspection, transportation, or storage.
He said: “Given my previous business dealings with the client, the remote facilitation was carried out within the normal course of business.”.
Weight discrepancy raises suspicions
The statement revealed a significant discrepancy in the weight of the shipment, which was initially recorded at 198 kilograms, while airport procedures later showed a weight of approximately 233 kilograms. Authorities announced that the seized quantity amounted to 237.6 kilograms of cocaine.
This discrepancy raised questions about the nature of the handling of the shipment during the various stages of transport and inspection.
Microscopic examination procedures
King pointed out that cargo inspections are carried out by competent authorities within the airport, and that his company does not control inspection, acceptance, or security screening procedures.
He confirmed that he did not pack, load, conceal, or physically handle the shipment in any way, explaining that he always acted in good faith and within the scope of his usual professional responsibilities.
Witness protection request
King formally requested protection from the authorities as a cooperating witness, calling for a thorough investigation into all parties involved in the case, including the shipping chain, documents, airport records, and surveillance cameras.
He also called for an investigation into the discrepancy between the declared weight and the actual weight of the shipment, the timetable for its inspection, and the mechanism for handling it while it was inside the airport.
The Liberian government confirms the developments.
On June 21, the Liberian Ministry of Justice announced that King had voluntarily surrendered to the authorities and is currently under investigation, as well as assisting security agencies in tracking down the drug trafficking network.
The ministry confirmed that he is not considered guilty, and that he still enjoys all his legal rights, including the right to defense and legal counsel, and protection from any intimidation or ill-treatment.
She indicated that his cooperation could help uncover a wider network of individuals and entities involved in importing, concealing, transporting, and attempting to export drugs.
Investigations are ongoing
Investigations are continuing into one of the biggest drug cases in Liberia in recent years, amid growing questions about the lack of any major arrests so far, and mounting public pressure to reveal all those involved in the case.
Legal experts believe that King's testimony could represent a significant turning point in the course of the investigations, especially after he revealed the name of businessman Rahim Bah as a potential key player in the case.
While the authorities continue their efforts to uncover the circumstances of the case, King affirmed his full readiness to cooperate with the Ministry of Justice, the Liberian Drug Enforcement Agency, and all other relevant authorities, and to provide any additional information that may help in reaching the full truth.
