Defense lawyers for Paul J. King, the Operations Manager of Global Logistics Services (GLS) and the only suspect currently in custody in the $19.2 million cocaine bust, pressed the Monrovia City Court on Monday for a preliminary hearing to scrutinize the charges filed against him.
Lead counsel Cllr. Amara Sheriff appeared before the court requesting time to "familiarize himself with the charges and determine how to approach the matter," according to statements made on record.
Prosecutors did not object to the defense's request for a preliminary hearing. Despite this, King was remanded to the Monrovia City Court pending his next appearance.
Cllr. Sheriff told reporters he intends to file a motion to admit King to bail, even though the charges King faces are legally classified as non-bailable offenses in Liberia.
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"I'm optimistic that after reviewing the charges, my client will be admitted to bail," Sheriff said.
The defense argued that King was not in Liberia when the incident occurred. According to Sheriff, King was in the United States but returned to Liberia voluntarily upon learning of his company's alleged connection to the case, intending to "exonerate himself from the charges."
"Where are the other suspects?" Sheriff questioned outside the courthouse. "You charge a man who volunteered himself to come back to assist with the investigation, but you arrest him and charge him."
Background: $19.2 Million Drug Bust
The case stems from a major drug seizure in Liberia involving cocaine valued at $19.2 million. King, as Operations Manager of GLS, is currently the only person in custody in connection with the bust.
Details regarding other potential suspects have not been made public by authorities. The prosecution has not yet disclosed what specific evidence ties King or GLS to the shipment.
King remains in custody at the Monrovia Central Prison. No date has been set for the preliminary hearing. The defense's bail motion is expected to be filed ahead of the next court session.
If the court grants the preliminary hearing, prosecutors will be required to present sufficient evidence to establish probable cause for the charges. The defense will then have an opportunity to challenge the basis of the state's case.
Under Liberian law, drug trafficking offenses involving large quantities are typically non-bailable. The defense's strategy appears to hinge on questioning the evidence and King's voluntary return to Liberia.
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King was charged by the Liberia National Police (LNP) in connection with the June 8, 2026, seizure of approximately 237.6 kilograms of cocaine at the Roberts International Airport cargo terminal. The shipment, valued at over $19 million, was being processed for export to Europe aboard a Brussels Airlines flight.
Charges and Suspects
According to Police Inspector General Gregory O. W. Coleman, King and GLS were indicted for allegedly facilitating, storing, and transporting the six-box cocaine shipment through the airport cargo chain. The charges include unlicensed exportation, transportation, possession, and illicit trafficking of controlled substances, as well as criminal conspiracy under Liberia's Amended Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2023 and the Revised Penal Code. fe4156eb
King is one of five individuals named by police. The others -- Michael U.S. Browne, also known as Rahim or Raheem Bah; Oscar J. Browne; Emmanuel Kpah; and Usman Ali, identified as the consignee based in the United Kingdom -- have been charged in absentia. Investigators say only King and GLS are currently within Liberia's jurisdiction, while the remaining suspects are believed to be overseas or evading arrest. 0d18
Police allege that Michael U.S. Browne organized the shipment, used false cargo declarations, and attempted to recover the cocaine after authorities intercepted it. Emmanuel Kpah allegedly delivered both the May and June shipments to GLS, while Usman Ali allegedly served as the overseas consignee.
