MONROVIA, Liberia – July 15, 2026 – The Monrovia City Court has found probable cause against Paul Jamaal King and several co-defendants in connection with the attempted export of 237.6 kilograms of cocaine, valued at more than US$19 million, clearing the way for the high-profile drug trafficking case to proceed to trial before Criminal Court “C.”
In a ruling delivered Wednesday, Stipendiary Magistrate L. Ben Barco concluded that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence during a preliminary examination to establish probable cause that the defendants may have committed the offenses alleged in the indictment.
The court subsequently ordered that King and his co-defendants be bound over to Criminal Court “C”, where the case will be heard on its merits.
Multiple Drug-Related Charges
The defendants face a series of charges under Liberia’s Penal Law and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2023, including:
- Unlicensed exportation of controlled substances;
- Importation of controlled substances;
- Possession and trafficking of narcotics;
- Sale of controlled substances;
- Criminal conspiracy;
- Criminal facilitation; and
- Criminal solicitation.
The ruling followed a preliminary examination requested by King’s legal team, during which the prosecution sought to establish whether sufficient evidence existed to warrant a full criminal trial.
Prosecution Presents Evidence
During the proceedings, state prosecutors called Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) Chief Investigator Colonel Moses L. Meah and Liberia National Police Anti-Narcotics Superintendent Joseph M. Kaiffa as key witnesses.
According to the prosecution, King, who was identified as the Operations Manager of Global Logistics Services (GLS), allegedly coordinated the shipment of six boxes declared on shipping documents as containing “Maggi cubes and lappers.”
Investigators, however, alleged that the shipment concealed 237.6 kilograms of cocaine destined for England.
The narcotics were intercepted at Roberts International Airport (RIA) on June 7, 2026, after airport security screening reportedly detected suspicious contents inside the cargo.
Prosecutors further alleged that King utilized falsified shipping documentation, fictitious business entities, and associates to facilitate the movement of the shipment before allegedly attempting to influence airport personnel to recover the seized cargo after it had been intercepted.
To support their case, prosecutors introduced several pieces of documentary evidence, including Air Way Bills, payment receipts, photographs, and witness statements.
Defense Challenges Investigation
Defense lawyers questioned the manner in which the investigation was conducted and challenged the handling of evidence, arguing that investigators committed procedural irregularities.
The defense also cited previous rulings from U.S. courts in support of its arguments.
However, Magistrate Barco ruled that those foreign legal authorities were not binding under Liberian law.
The court further noted that a preliminary examination is intended only to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to establish probable cause—not whether the prosecution has proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Case Moves to Criminal Court
After reviewing the testimony and documentary evidence presented by prosecutors, the court concluded that reasonable grounds exist to believe King and his co-defendants committed the offenses charged.
As a result, the defendants were formally bound over to Criminal Court “C”, where the prosecution will now seek to prove the allegations during trial.
The case stems from one of Liberia’s largest cocaine seizures in recent years and remains under intense public scrutiny because of its estimated US$19 million street value and the broader national security concerns it has raised regarding transnational drug trafficking through Roberts International Airport.
