MONROVIA – One of the three individuals previously declared at large in Liberia’s ongoing US$19.2 million cocaine investigation has been taken into custody.
Paul J. King, Chief Executive Officer of GLS Menzies and one of the ten Persons of Interest recently named by the Ministry of Justice, was arrested by members of the Joint Security upon his arrival at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) on Friday.
Sources familiar with the operation confirmed that King arrived in Liberia from abroad and was immediately taken into custody by security authorities for questioning in connection with the investigation into the seizure of 237.6 kilograms of cocaine at the Global Logistics Services (GLS) Menzies Warehouse at Roberts International Airport.
King was among ten individuals identified by the Joint National Security Investigative Task Force as Persons of Interest in the case. In a public statement issued Thursday, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh disclosed that King, along with Oscar Browne, Chief of Intelligence at RIA Security, and Emmanuel T. Zeon, a transporter for Express Handling Services (EHS), was considered at large and being sought by investigators.
The latest development marks the first known arrest of an individual previously listed among those being actively pursued by authorities.
The government has repeatedly stressed that the investigation is focused not only on those directly linked to the cocaine shipment but also on identifying and dismantling the broader criminal network behind what has been described as one of the largest drug seizures in Liberia’s history.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai earlier vowed that no individual would be shielded from scrutiny, regardless of status or position, while the Ministry of Justice has assured the public that every lead will be pursued and all evidence thoroughly examined.
It remains unclear whether King voluntarily returned to Liberia or whether his arrival was coordinated with investigators. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding his detention.
The arrest comes less than 24 hours after the Justice Ministry publicly named ten Persons of Interest and warned those still at large to surrender themselves to the authorities.
With King’s arrest, attention is now expected to shift to the whereabouts of the two remaining individuals who were reported at large as the investigation continues to gather momentum.
More details are expected as the Joint Security provides further updates on the case.
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