Liberia’s police chief told reporters that officers seized $7,000 in cash during a raid linked to an alleged cocaine-trafficking operation, while a court-filed return lists $17,000, according to documents reviewed by The Oracle News Daily.
The $10,000 discrepancy raises questions about whether the full amount seized was publicly disclosed and police helping themselves to cocaine cash.
The raid conducted July 21 at a residence in Paynesville, Montserrado County, resulted in the seizure of 3,971 kilograms of suspected cocaine, with an estimated street value of about $400 million, according to authorities. Two foreign nationals were arrested and turned over to a joint security team.
“I think if my memory serves me right, the cash that I remembered that was seized there was $7,000 United States dollars,” Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman told reporters.
A sheriff’s return filed with the clerk of court on July 22 lists $17,000 in cash as having been discovered, counted, seized and handed over to police. The document also details the seizure of six phones, a Nissan van, a pistol and ammunition, drones, GPS equipment and other electronic devices.
The return states that the items were transferred to the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency and received by an agency custodian in the presence of officers from the Liberia National Police, Executive Protection Service and National Security Agency.
Justice Minister Oswald Tweh, in a national address about the operation, mentioned several seized items but did not refer to the cash.
Calls seeking clarification from police authorities were not immediately answered.
