By: H. Richard Fallah
MONROVIA: Amid growing public concern relative to the recent RIA illicit drugs arrest saga, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), has disclosed that those allegedly connected to the import of the methamphetamine drugs at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) have been arrested.
Making the disclosure at a press briefing on Friday, September 15, 2023, in Monrovia, the Director of the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Marcus Zehyoue, explained that the actual consignee of the illicit drugs as per the records obtained from Kenya Airways, is Stephen Daniels, who has already been arrested and is undergoing investigation.
Zehyoue further revealed that the Chief of Security of the Roberts International Airport (RIA), Samuel Freeman, has also been suspended and turned over for questioning.
“Another security operative, Hinneh Kollie, is also undergoing investigation in relations to the drug saga,” he noted.
He mentioned that they have been informed that Kenya Airways has also suspended some individuals allegedly with link to the importation of drugs into the country.
As it relates to higher-ups of the CDC administration being involved with the importation of the illegal consignment, Director Zehyoue clarified that there were misleading allegations that the Chief of Protocol of the Executive Mansion, Nora Finda Bundoo, was the consignee of the drugs, reiterating that the information is untrue, and that Finda Bundoo has absolutely no connection to the importation.
The Ministry of Justice few days ago declared suspended Director of Security at the Roberts International Airport, Samuel Freeman, and Sam Sayon (not NSA deputy director), the Cargo Officer at Jos Travel, are the two (2) persons wanted as prime suspects in the recent Drugs scandal at the Roberts international airport (RIA)
Those arrested are believed to have played key roles in the attempt to smuggle a substantial quantity of the illicit drugs Methamphetamine through the country’s busiest international airport.
Freeman, who is the suspended Director of Security at the RIA, has earlier denied that the contents of the confiscated boxes, which he had attempted to smuggle from the tarmac through an unauthorized gate, were not drugs.
The now arrested security boss who has allegedly linked the Chief of Protocol for the executive mansion, Ms. Nora Finda Bondo, earlier denial, was followed by customs officials from the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), in the presence of joint security, inspection of the boxes in-which they (LRA) claimed that the contents of the boxes were moringa tea.
A test conducted by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), has revealed that the results show illicit methamphetamine, a highly addictive drug.