The preliminary hearing into the alleged attempted exportation of approximately 237.6 kilograms of cocaine continued this week as the prosecution presented testimony from its first witness, Col. Moses L. Meah, Chief Investigator of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA).
Testifying before the court, Meah alleged that lead defendant Paul J. King, identified as Operations Manager of Global Logistics Services (GLS), coordinated the shipment of six boxes destined for England through Express Handling Services (EHS). According to the investigator, the packages were collected from King’s residence before being transported to Roberts International Airport, where security officers intercepted them after suspicious scanner images prompted a physical inspection.
Meah told the court that the six boxes tested positive for cocaine using UNODC testing kits, and that the drugs have an estimated value exceeding US$19 million.
The prosecution further alleged that King attempted to negotiate the release of the shipment after its seizure and that several co-defendants were members of an organized drug trafficking syndicate.
During the proceedings, the prosecution introduced King’s statement, witness statements, shipping documents, photographs of the seized packages, and the official charge sheet into evidence. Defense lawyers raised several objections throughout the hearing, many of which were overruled by the court while exceptions were noted for the record.
Following the presentation of the documentary evidence, the prosecution rested with its first witness as the preliminary hearing continued.
The defendants are charged with multiple drug-related offenses, including illegal trafficking, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, and the unlawful exportation of controlled substances. They remain presumed innocent until proved guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction.
