IPNEWS: Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) commander Moses Jallah, previously released after being charged with obstruction-related offenses in connection with the country’s 19 million Dollars ocaine seizure at Roberts International Airport (RIA), has reportedly been rearrested amid allegations that he attempted to leave Liberia through the same airport.
Jallah’s reported rearrest represents a major development in the investigation and could lead to broader and more serious criminal charges, including offenses directly connected to the suspected cocaine trafficking operation.
A Special Investigation Team established under the Ministry of Justice had earlier charged Jallah with Hindering Law Enforcement, Obstruction of Government Function, and Tampering with a Criminal Investigation.
The charges followed allegations that he interfered with the investigation into the June 8 discovery of six cargo boxes at RIA containing approximately 317 kilograms of suspected cocaine, reportedly worth about US$19.2 million on the street.
The shipment, allegedly destined for London, England, had been declared as general merchandise, including lappas and Maggi cubes, before security personnel reportedly detected discrepancies during screening.
Investigators subsequently examined whether individuals within or connected to the security system attempted to facilitate the release of the shipment or interfere with the arrests of suspects.
Jallah was reportedly accused of having contact with individuals linked to the shipment and failing to take actions expected of an LDEA officer after the suspected cocaine was discovered.
One of the individuals named in the investigation is businessman George Harris, also known as Leroy Harris, who investigators allege attempted to use money and influence to secure the release of the shipment.
Jallah has denied wrongdoing, maintaining that he acted on intelligence from his superiors and reported attempts to influence him to the appropriate authorities. He also reportedly claimed that he had been gathering intelligence on individuals later linked to the investigation.
Despite his defense, the Ministry of Justice investigation reportedly concluded that there was sufficient evidence to prosecute him.
REARREST COULD CHANGE CASE
The latest development could dramatically alter Jallah’s legal situation.
Reports that he allegedly attempted to exit Liberia through RIA while under investigation have raised fresh questions about his intentions and whether authorities believe he posed a flight risk.
More significantly, state security authorities are reportedly considering amending or expanding the charges to include offenses related directly to the suspected narcotics operation.
If formally filed, such charges could move Jallah’s case beyond alleged obstruction and place him closer to the center of the investigation into the attempted movement of the cocaine.
Prosecutors would then be required to establish what Jallah allegedly knew, when he knew it, and whether his actions were intended to facilitate the shipment, protect those involved, or obstruct its seizure and investigation.
The reported rearrest has therefore added a new and potentially explosive chapter to Liberia’s largest recent cocaine investigation.
For now, the allegations against Jallah remain unproven, and any new charges must be formally filed and tested before a court of competent jurisdiction.
