–Margibi Court Accepts Plea Bargain as Businesswoman Admits Role in High-Profile Drug Trafficking Case; Conviction Marks Major Milestone in Government’s Crackdown on Narcotics Networks.
KAKATA, Margibi County – The Resident Judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Margibi County, Her Honor Victoria Worlobah Duncan, has sentenced Liberian businesswoman Quita (also reported as Quati) Kosso Dolo to five years’ imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges stemming from a high-profile cocaine case at Roberts International Airport (RIA).
The sentence followed the court’s approval of a plea bargaining agreement negotiated between prosecutors representing the Republic of Liberia and Dolo’s legal team, bringing to a close one of the principal prosecutions arising from the 2025 airport cocaine seizure.
Judge Duncan imposed the five-year prison term after determining that Dolo had entered her guilty plea knowingly, voluntarily and with a full understanding of the legal consequences of the agreement, according to court proceedings.
Guilty Plea Ends Trial for Dolo
During the proceedings, Dolo admitted her involvement in the cocaine trafficking case and accepted responsibility for the offenses contained in the government’s indictment.
Her guilty plea eliminated the need for a full trial, allowing the matter to be resolved through the negotiated plea agreement reached between the Ministry of Justice and the defense.
Following the court’s acceptance of the agreement, Judge Duncan ordered that Dolo serve five years in a correctional facility designated by the Ministry of Justice.
The conviction represents one of the first major sentencing outcomes in the widely publicized airport drug case, which has remained before the courts for more than a year.
Case Centers on Cocaine Seized at Roberts International Airport
The case originated after Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) officers intercepted 3.355 kilograms of cocaine concealed in Dolo’s luggage after she arrived at Roberts International Airport aboard Kenya Airways Flight KQ887 from Bangkok, Thailand, in July 2025.
Investigators estimated the street value of the cocaine at more than US$181,000, making it one of the country’s significant narcotics seizures at the time.
The investigation subsequently expanded beyond Dolo after authorities alleged that some LDEA officers tampered with drug exhibits connected to the case.
Former LDEA Officers Also Facing Trial
The airport cocaine investigation ultimately led to criminal charges against several former Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency officers.
Those facing prosecution include former LDEA Chief of Operations Abdullai Sheriff, Joe Logan, Lovette Flowers, and Menkpapuo Duo, all of whom were accused of offenses linked to the alleged mishandling and disappearance of cocaine exhibits recovered from Dolo.
While Dolo and Abdullai Sheriff entered guilty pleas earlier in the proceedings, the remaining defendants pleaded not guilty and continue to face prosecution before the court.
Trial Faced Jury Tampering Allegations
The proceedings attracted national attention after the trial was temporarily disrupted by allegations of jury tampering.
Judge Duncan suspended the proceedings, disbanded the jury, and ordered an investigation after allegations surfaced that an LDEA officer had improperly communicated with jurors during the trial.
The court later resumed proceedings following measures aimed at protecting the integrity of the judicial process.
Government Reaffirms Anti-Drug Commitment
Liberia’s Ministry of Justice and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency have repeatedly maintained that the government will continue aggressively prosecuting narcotics-related offenses as part of a broader strategy to combat drug trafficking, organized crime and corruption within law enforcement institutions.
The LDEA has described Dolo’s conviction as another demonstration of the government’s commitment to accountability, emphasizing that no individual—including law enforcement personnel—will be shielded from prosecution where evidence establishes criminal conduct.
Attention Turns to Remaining Defendants
With Dolo now convicted and sentenced, attention is expected to shift to the remaining defendants whose cases are still pending before the 13th Judicial Circuit Court.
The outcome of those proceedings is likely to be closely watched as Liberia continues strengthening its anti-narcotics enforcement efforts amid a broader nationwide crackdown on transnational drug trafficking networks.
Dolo’s sentencing also comes at a time when the Boakai administration has intensified investigations into several other major cocaine cases, including the US$19 million Roberts International Airport seizure and the US$317.68 million cocaine investigation, underscoring what officials say is a renewed determination to dismantle organized drug trafficking networks operating within Liberia.
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