Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh has recommended to President Joseph Boakai to immediately suspend Liberia’s Police Inspector General, Col. Gregory Coleman, as the nation reels from the discovery of a staggering US$317 million worth of narcotics at Roberts International Airport (RIA).
“In continuation of the position I previously expressed on the floor of the Liberian Senate, I recommend the suspension of the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police while the investigation is ongoing—or, alternatively, that he recuse himself from any involvement,” Konneh declared, warning that the credibility of the probe hangs in the balance.
The former World Bank senior official argued that when the leadership of a security agency is connected to or potentially implicated in an investigation, decisive steps must be taken to avoid conflicts of interest. “Impartiality, transparency, and public confidence are paramount,” he stressed, framing his call as a defense of democratic governance.
Konneh’s demand comes as Liberia grapples with international scrutiny following the arrest of a Spanish Colombian national in connection with the massive cocaine haul. The bust, one of the largest in the country’s history, has already led to the dismissal of senior police officials and the removal of Fitzgerald Biago, Officer in Charge of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA).
The Senator, however, balanced his criticism with praise for President Boakai’s recent appointments within the LDEA. He commended the President for “strengthening Liberia’s security sector and advancing the fight against illicit drugs,” noting that the newly appointed officials bring professional training and years of service critical to restoring public trust. “I assure them of my fullest support,” Konneh pledged.
Observers say Konneh’s intervention underscores mounting pressure on the Boakai administration to demonstrate resolve in tackling organized crime. The Senator’s insistence on suspending Coleman is seen as a direct challenge to entrenched power structures within the police force, raising questions about accountability at the highest levels of national security.
The unfolding scandal has already shaken public confidence. With Liberia’s premier airport implicated, critics warn of systemic failures in border control and intelligence coordination. Supporters of Konneh argue that suspending Coleman would send a powerful signal that no official is above scrutiny, while detractors caution against destabilizing the police leadership during a crisis.
Konneh concluded his statement with a reaffirmation of his legislative mission: “As a Senator of the Republic, I remain unwavering in my commitment to accountability, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law.”
As the investigation deepens, the stakes could not be higher. With international partners watching closely, Liberia faces a defining test of its credibility in the global fight against narcotics trafficking. Whether President Boakai heeds Konneh’s call—or chooses to shield his embattled police chief—will shape the nation’s reputation for years to come.
