–Football Official Says He Has Not Been Contacted by Investigators, Rejects Allegations Linking Him to High-Profile Drug Trafficking Case
MONROVIA – Anthony Deinuka, a member of the Executive Committee of the Liberia Football Association (LFA), has strongly denied allegations linking him to the ongoing investigation into the attempted export of approximately 237.6 kilograms of cocaine, valued at an estimated US$19.2 million, through Roberts International Airport (RIA).
In a statement issued on July 6, Deinuka described reports connecting him to the high-profile investigation as false and unfounded, insisting that he has not been contacted by any law enforcement agency in relation to the case.
“I am not under investigation,” Deinuka declared, adding that he has never been arrested, invited for questioning, interrogated, or contacted by the Liberia National Police (LNP), the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), or any other security institution regarding the ongoing investigation.
His statement comes amid heightened public interest in one of Liberia’s largest drug trafficking investigations in recent years, following the seizure of approximately 237.6 kilograms of cocaine at Roberts International Airport and the subsequent charging of several individuals by the Liberia National Police.
The case has generated intense public debate as investigators continue efforts to identify and prosecute all those allegedly connected to the attempted shipment.
Addressing reports circulating on social media and other platforms, Deinuka rejected claims that he has any relationship with individuals identified by investigators as persons of interest or suspects in the case.
He maintained that he has no criminal, business, financial, or personal association with any of the individuals linked to the alleged drug trafficking operation.
“I have no connection whatsoever with any of the persons mentioned in this investigation,” he said, urging the public to disregard what he described as baseless allegations.
Deinuka also sought to clarify reports suggesting that his previous employment at Roberts International Airport established a connection to the ongoing investigation.
According to him, he resigned from his position at the airport in 2019 and has had no official employment or operational role at RIA since that time.
He argued that any attempt to associate him with the current investigation based solely on his former employment is misleading and without factual basis.
The LFA Executive Committee member further dismissed efforts to link Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung to the investigation through their political relationship.
Deinuka acknowledged that he has publicly supported the Vice President politically but stressed that such support should not be interpreted as evidence of wrongdoing or used to implicate the country’s second-highest elected official.
He described attempts to draw such conclusions as speculative and irresponsible.
While firmly rejecting the allegations against him, Deinuka said he remains fully prepared to cooperate with law enforcement authorities should they require his assistance.
He emphasized that he respects the rule of law and would willingly make himself available to investigators if officially requested.
“I remain available to cooperate with any lawful investigation,” he stated.
Deinuka also appealed to journalists, political actors, bloggers, and members of the public to exercise caution in discussing the case, warning against the spread of unverified information that could damage the reputations of innocent individuals.
He called on media institutions to uphold professional standards by verifying information before publication, particularly in matters involving ongoing criminal investigations.
Reaffirming his innocence, Deinuka described himself as a law-abiding citizen who has consistently conducted his personal and professional affairs with integrity.
He urged the public to dismiss reports portraying him as a wanted person or suspect in the case, insisting that no security agency has declared him wanted or linked him to any criminal conduct.
The cocaine investigation remains one of the most significant narcotics cases in Liberia’s recent history. Authorities have already charged several individuals with multiple offenses under the country’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, while investigators say efforts continue to identify and apprehend any additional persons believed to have participated in the alleged trafficking network.
The Liberia National Police, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, and other Joint Security institutions have repeatedly stated that the investigation remains active and have pledged to pursue all credible leads as they seek to dismantle what they believe to be a sophisticated transnational drug trafficking operation.
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