Senators Push for Suspension of RIA Cargo Concession Amid US$19 Million Cocaine Probe
June 23, 2026
By Laymah Kollie
Monrovia: Montserrado County Senators Abraham Darius Dillon and Saah H. Joseph have called for the suspension of the cargo-handling concession operated by GLS Menzies at Roberts International Airport (RIA) while authorities investigate the seizure of cocaine valued at approximately US$19.2 million.
In a joint communication submitted to the Liberian Senate, the lawmakers expressed concern over the June 8, 2026 drug interception involving about 237.6 kilograms of cocaine discovered in a GLS Menzies warehouse at the airport.
The senators argued that the magnitude of the case requires immediate precautionary measures to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations and preserve Liberia’s international image.
According to the communication, the Joint National Security Investigative Task Force has identified GLS Menzies General Manager Paul J. King and Security Manager Philip Yeoh as persons of interest in the ongoing probe.
The lawmakers told their colleagues that suspending the concessionaire’s operations would be a prudent step while investigators continue their work.
“When the leadership of a concessionaire entrusted with safeguarding our national cargo channels is itself under investigation, prudence demands that its operations be suspended until the matter is resolved,” the senators stated.
Senators Dillon and Joseph emphasized that their proposal should not be interpreted as a declaration of guilt against the company or its officials.
Rather, they said, the measure is intended to promote transparency, safeguard potential evidence, and strengthen public confidence in the investigative process.
They warned that allowing the company to continue operating under the current circumstances could raise questions about accountability and potentially affect Liberia’s credibility as a trusted aviation and trade partner.“This is a precautionary measure, not a presumption of guilt,” the lawmakers stressed, noting that the concession could be reinstated if investigations clear GLS Menzies and its officials of any wrongdoing.
The request comes amid growing public attention surrounding the high-profile drug seizure, regarded as one of the largest cocaine interceptions in Liberia in recent years.
The case has fueled widespread calls for accountability and a comprehensive investigation into how the narcotics entered the cargo facility and whether existing security systems were compromised.
Following the communication, Senate Plenary mandated its Committees on Security and Judiciary to review the matter and provide recommendations to the full body.Based on the committees’ findings, senators will decide whether to formally advise the Executive Branch to suspend the GLS Menzies cargo-handling concession pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
