Liberia: Moses Jallah Rearrested on Cocaine Trafficking Charges

• Moses Jallah, former LDEA deputy commander, was rearrested on August 10 while attempting to fly out of Roberts International Airport amidst an active investigation.
• He was initially charged with obstructing law enforcement and tampering with a criminal investigation in Liberia's US$19.2 million cocaine case.
• Prosecutors are now considering more severe charges against Jallah, including aiding the shipment, trafficking, facilitation, or conspiracy.
• The case involves 237.6 kilograms of cocaine found at the airport, with investigators alleging Jallah's involvement in efforts to release the cargo after its discovery.
• A key question remains how Jallah, a charged individual, was able to attempt departure from the national airport without a travel restriction.

Prosecutors are now considering charges that would shift Jallah's portrayal from a man accused of interfering with the investigation to someone accused of aiding the shipment, trafficking, facilitation, or conspiracy, placing him at the center of the operation.

Moses Jallah, the former deputy commander for Liberia's Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) at Roberts International Airport, was rearrested on August 10 while attempting to depart the country. His apprehension occurred at the very terminal where the US$19.2 million cocaine, central to the ongoing investigation, was initially seized. Authorities took Jallah back into custody and presented him before the Monrovia City Court after receiving intelligence that he was trying to board a flight out of Liberia, despite an active investigation against him.

Jallah had previously been charged by the Ministry of Justice's Special Investigation Team with obstructing law enforcement, interfering with a government function, and tampering with a criminal investigation. Notably, these initial charges did not allege direct involvement in cocaine trafficking. However, prosecutors are now considering more severe allegations, including aiding the shipment, trafficking, facilitation, or conspiracy. Such amended charges, if filed, would fundamentally shift Jallah's legal position, placing him at the core of the operation rather than merely on its periphery.

The Liberia US$19.2 million cocaine case originated when six cargo boxes, declared as general merchandise including lappas and Maggi cubes, were booked for England from Roberts International Airport. Screeners at the airport identified discrepancies between the declared weight of the packages and their X-ray images. A subsequent physical inspection revealed a white powdery substance, later confirmed to be 237.6 kilograms of cocaine, which authorities valued at approximately US$19.2 million.

Investigators allege that Moses Jallah became involved in the case after the cocaine's discovery, specifically during efforts to secure the cargo's release. Businessman George Harris, also known as Leroy Harris, who operates a bar in Paynesville, is named in the investigation as one of the individuals who contacted Jallah and other senior security and law enforcement officials, offering money in exchange for the cargo's release. Furthermore, investigators claim Jallah later met with Harris despite being aware of his connection to the shipment and that he possessed prior knowledge of individuals linked to the operation but failed to act on that information.

In a statement provided within the investigation report, Moses Jallah dismissed the allegations against him. He asserted that his actions were guided by intelligence received from his superiors and that he reported all approaches he received to the appropriate authorities. Jallah claimed he was offered money to halt the inspection process and prevent arrests, an offer he states he forwarded up his chain of command. He also maintained that he had been actively gathering intelligence on some of the individuals who were later implicated in the case.

Despite Jallah's explanations, the Ministry of Justice's Special Investigation Team concluded that his account did not absolve him of criminal liability. Consequently, the team recommended his prosecution, leading to the initial charges of obstructing law enforcement and tampering with a criminal investigation.

The evolving prosecutorial strategy in the Liberia US$19.2 million cocaine case, particularly the consideration of direct Moses Jallah Liberia cocaine trafficking charges, signals a more aggressive approach by authorities. This shift from charges of obstructing law enforcement to potential allegations of trafficking, facilitation, or conspiracy underscores the gravity of the ongoing investigation and the increased scrutiny on public officials. The incident of Jallah's attempted departure from the national airport, despite being formally charged in what is considered the country's largest narcotics case, has raised a significant unanswered question for the state regarding the absence of a travel restriction against him.

Prosecutors are now tasked with a critical determination: ascertaining the full extent of Jallah's knowledge, establishing a precise timeline of his awareness, and discerning whether his actions following the cocaine's discovery were intended to aid the shipment or to hinder its seizure. It is important to note that Moses Jallah has not been convicted of any crime at this stage of the proceedings.

Lawyers advising clients in high-profile Liberian criminal investigations, particularly those involving public officials or drug trafficking, should note the evolving prosecutorial strategy to pursue direct involvement charges (trafficking/facilitation) rather than just obstruction. This indicates increased scrutiny and potential for severe penalties, requiring counsel to prepare for more serious allegations and scrutinize airport security protocols for individuals under investigation.

Source: Original reporting via Liberian Investigator