–Former LDEA RIA Commander, Operative and Nigerian National Found Guilty over Alleged Removal and Sale of 4 Cocaine Plates Seized at Roberts International Airport
MARGIBI COUNTY, Liberia — A 12-member petty jury of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Margibi County has returned unanimous guilty verdicts against two former Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) officers and a Nigerian national following a protracted trial stemming from the alleged unlawful removal and sale of cocaine seized at Roberts International Airport (RIA).
The verdicts were handed down Monday, September 7, 2026, before Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie, concluding the evidentiary phase of a case that has drawn significant attention because of allegations concerning the handling and disappearance of seized narcotics while in the custody of law enforcement officers.
The convicted defendants are former LDEA RIA Detail Commander Joe I. Logan, former LDEA operative Lovette L. Flower, and Nigerian national Tony Obi.
The case originated from a July 12, 2025 drug seizure at RIA involving Quita Dolo Kosso, who was arrested after arriving in Liberia aboard Kenya Airways Flight KQ887 from Thailand.
How the Case Began
According to evidence presented during the trial, LDEA officers assigned to RIA acted on intelligence from a confidential informant concerning a passenger arriving from Thailand.
Kosso was intercepted at approximately 6:30 a.m., and officers subsequently searched her luggage. Prosecutors told the court that the search uncovered 14 plates or packages of cocaine concealed inside T-shirts and placed in two suitcases belonging to Kosso.
The prosecution alleged, however, that only 10 of the 14 plates were officially reported to LDEA headquarters in Fiamah, Monrovia.
The remaining four plates, prosecutors alleged, were removed from the seized narcotics and subsequently sold.
Alleged Removal and Sale of Cocaine
Prosecutors alleged that Logan was responsible for the removal of the four plates, while Flower and others allegedly participated in their subsequent disposition.
According to the prosecution’s account, Logan later convened a meeting involving Mankarpoe Duo Jr., Flower and Abdullah Sheriff following the alleged removal.
Prosecutors further alleged that the four plates were sold and that proceeds from the transaction were distributed among individuals allegedly involved.
The prosecution alleged that US$1,500 was given to Flower, another US$1,500 to Duo, and US$2,500 to Sheriff.
Questions surrounding the missing narcotics reportedly emerged after Cllr. Lafayette E.O. Gould, who represented Kosso during an earlier stage of the investigation at LDEA headquarters, raised concerns about the quantity of cocaine reportedly seized from his client.
Gould reportedly contacted former Ministry of Justice Solicitor Cllr. Augustine C. Fayiah, bringing further attention to the discrepancy between the alleged 14 plates initially seized and the 10 plates subsequently recorded by authorities.
Investigation Under New LDEA Leadership
The allegations later became the subject of an investigation under the new LDEA administration headed by Fitzgerald M.T. Biago, Officer-in-Charge, with Colonel Ernest T. Tarpeh serving as deputy.
The investigation followed the removal of the previous LDEA leadership headed by former Executive Director Anthony K. Souh and his deputies.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that the evidence established not only the seizure of the cocaine at RIA but also the alleged subsequent removal of four plates and their disposition outside the agency’s official custody.
The prosecution further maintained that the cocaine allegedly imported by Kosso was intended for delivery to Tony Obi.
Prosecutors alleged that Obi, together with Danny Awado and Nick Obi, provided US$10,000 purportedly intended to secure Kosso’s release and facilitate access to the drugs.
Defense Challenges Prosecution’s Case
The defense contested the prosecution’s allegations and challenged aspects of the evidence concerning the seizure, documentation and handling of the narcotics.
Defense lawyers emphasized the circumstances surrounding the original intelligence-led operation at RIA and the subsequent discrepancy between the number of cocaine plates allegedly seized and the quantity reported to LDEA headquarters.
The defense also questioned the circumstances under which the allegation concerning the missing four plates emerged, particularly the role of Kosso’s legal representation in bringing the alleged discrepancy to the attention of the Ministry of Justice.
The handling, documentation and chain of custody of the seized narcotics also featured prominently in the defense’s challenge to the prosecution’s case.
Witnesses Presented
The prosecution called several witnesses during the trial, including Randy L. Gould, Moses L. Meah, Ernest T. Tarpeh and Mankarpoe Duo, while subpoenaed witnesses also appeared before the court.
The defense presented three witnesses: Lovette L. Flower, Joe I. Logan and Tony Obi.
The defendants faced multiple charges, including Unlicensed Importation of Controlled Drugs or Substances, Unlicensed Possession of Controlled Drugs or Substances, Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Facilitation, Forgery, Misapplication of Entrusted Property, Theft of Property, Illicit Trafficking, and Unlicensed Possession, Sale and Distribution of Controlled Drugs or Substances.
Both the prosecution and defense were allotted one hour each for their closing arguments.
Earlier Proceedings
The case is part of a broader cocaine investigation involving several individuals.
During the May Term of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court, then presided over by Judge Victoria Worlobah Duncan, the prosecution entered a Nolle Prosequi in favor of Mankarpoe Duo Jr.
Kosso and Abdullah Sheriff, meanwhile, entered voluntary guilty pleas to the charges against them.
Following a plea agreement hearing, Kosso was sentenced to five years in prison, with credit for time already spent in detention during the investigation and trial.
Sheriff received a two-year prison sentence, also with credit for time already served.
The proceedings against Logan, Flower and Obi subsequently continued before Judge Willie.
Sentencing Pending
Following Monday’s guilty verdicts, Judge Willie directed the Ministry of Justice, through its Probation Section in Margibi County, to conduct pre-sentence investigations into the three convicted defendants.
According to the court’s directive, the investigation is expected to determine whether the defendants have previous criminal records and examine their social, community and religious backgrounds, including their previous places of residence and conduct before the offenses for which they were convicted.
The resulting pre-sentence report is expected to assist the court in determining the appropriate penalties.
Judge Willie has scheduled the sentencing hearing for Monday, September 14, 2026, at 12:00 noon at the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Margibi County.
The guilty verdicts mark a significant development in a case that has raised broader questions about the security and accountability of narcotics seized by law enforcement agencies, particularly the chain of custody and the integrity of evidence in major drug investigations.
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