By Pewu Y. Sumo
MONROVIA, LIBERIA — Paul J. King, the General Manager of ground handling company GLS Menzies, has surrendered to Liberian law enforcement following his designation as a “person of interest” in a massive airport narcotics bust.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed Sunday that King voluntarily presented himself to authorities and is currently being held in the custody of the Joint National Security Investigative Task Force.
King had been sought by police in connection with the June 8, 2026, seizure of roughly 237.6 kilograms of cocaine intercepted at Roberts International Airport (RIA). Officials previously described him as being “at large” before his surprise weekend appearance.
According to the Ministry of Justice, King is being held under joint security supervision and is actively assisting investigators. The Task Force aims to use his testimony to map out the broader criminal network responsible for smuggling, concealing, and attempting to export the multi-million-dollar drug shipment.
In an official statement, the Ministry emphasized that King’s cooperation does not equal a declaration of guilt, promising that his constitutional rights will be closely guarded.
“Mr. King will be afforded all protections guaranteed to persons in custody, including the right to due process, access to legal counsel, and protection from intimidation [or] mistreatment,” the statement said.
The ministry used the high-profile surrender to issue a stern warning to other suspects still hiding from the law.
“The Ministry of Justice renews its call on all remaining Persons of Interest who continue to evade the authorities to avail themselves without further delay,” the government statement noted, adding that “time will not diminish the reach of the law.”
The RIA cocaine seizure is tracking to be one of the most high-profile narcotics cases in Liberia this year, drawing intense scrutiny from both local watchdogs and international partners, including the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia.
Since news of the drug bust at the RIA broke, there has been mounting public pressure over the government’s decision to withhold the names of persons of interest amid fears that doing so would undermine the investigation.
However, with a major player in the US$19.2 million cocaine smuggling case now in authorities’ hands, the case has taken a different direction as mixed reactions continue to swirl.
About the Author
