President Joseph Boakaiboak ordered the dismissal, suspension and investigation of several security and airport officials as Liberia widens a narcotics investigation involving cocaine seizures at Roberts International Airport and elsewhere.
The president dismissed Mark Egon Kuiah, deputy director for operations at Roberts International Airport; Johnny Bolar Dean, commissioner of police for criminal investigation, intelligence and Interpol; and Patrick Doe, deputy director for administration at the National Security Agency, according to a statement issued Thursday night by the Executive Mansion.
Boakai also recalled Patrick Komasu, known from his assignment to the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, suspended him without pay and ordered that he be investigated.
The measures follow the seizure of 198 plates of processed cocaine at Roberts International Airport and the confiscation of 3,971 plates of cocaine from the premises of two foreign nationals.
Among those dismissed were Mohammed O. Gbowrah, director of security at the airport, and Moses Jallah, deputy commander of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency at Roberts International Airport.
Two Liberia National Police officers, Anthony T. Blaye and Wadell W. Kwarbo, were also dismissed over allegations that they used government vehicles to transport a narcotics consignment from Vincent Town along the Bomi Highway to the area near Mega Mart in Thinkers Village, Paynesville.
Boakai further ordered the dismissal of four officials and directed that they be forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution. They are National Security Agency agents Jammel V. Jallah, Christian L. Nyantee and Albenigo Janior, as well as Caycee Nelson, procurement director at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
The president said the actions demonstrate his administration’s determination to prevent public officials accused of criminal conduct from remaining in government. He directed security and law-enforcement agencies to intensify their investigations and ensure that anyone connected to the cases is brought before the courts in accordance with due process.
The dismissals represent one of the administration’s most significant disciplinary actions linked to Liberia’s growing fight against narcotics trafficking. The government said it would continue efforts to dismantle criminal networks and protect the country’s security and international reputation.
