Roberts International Airport (RIA) is at the center of a major narcotics investigation following the interception of a cocaine shipment reportedly valued at US$19.2 million, with documents reviewed by Verity News raising fresh questions about how the consignment moved through multiple security layers undetected.
According to an initial investigation conducted by Verity News, the Air Waybill linked to the shipment suggests that the drugs were already in Liberia prior to the official arrest date of Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
Shipment allegedly in country days before interception
Documents indicate that the consignment, comprising 198 compressed plates of cocaine, was delivered to RIA on June 4, 2026, at approximately 1:31 p.m. The shipment is said to have remained inside the airport’s warehouse for five days before it was ultimately intercepted while being prepared for export on June 9, 2026.
During this period, the drugs were reportedly stored in six rubber containers inside the airport facility, with no detection recorded despite multiple screening stages, including X-ray and visual inspection processes.
Alleged consignor under scrutiny
The consignor is listed in the reviewed documents as the Emre Venn Group of Companies, which allegedly handled the importation and delivery of the consignment to the airport warehouse. Questions are now being raised about who exactly authorized the importation, who managed the handover process, and the individuals behind the company’s operations.
Verity News notes that its investigation into the ownership and management structure of the company is ongoing.
Airport warehouse handling and internal procedures questioned
The shipment was reportedly received and stored by an airport warehouse staff member identified as Emmanuel T. Zeon, whose details are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities are expected to determine who transferred the consignment to him and under what clearance procedures it was accepted into storage.
Investigators are also examining whether any special authorization or “VIP clearance” may have allowed the cargo to bypass standard scrutiny.
Screening process under spotlight
A security screening officer identified as Ms. Ruth K. Gbapayehea (Employee ID 04-908-75) is reported to have cleared the consignment on June 5, 2026, at around 4:30 p.m., labeling it as general cargo after conducting X-ray and visual checks.
Despite these procedures, the shipment allegedly remained undetected as narcotics until its final interception days later. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether procedural lapses or external interference played a role.
Final interception before departure to London
The cocaine was eventually discovered at approximately 2:13 p.m. on June 9, 2026, during boarding procedures for SN Brussels flight 0241, which was scheduled to depart RIA for London Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom.
Flight details confirm the route as Monrovia–London via Brussels operations.
Alleged consignee identified in the United Kingdom
Documents reviewed by Verity News list the intended consignee as Usman Ali, a British national born in August 1988.
Public records reviewed by Verity News through the UK Companies House database show that Ali previously served as a director of two private limited companies that were later dissolved:
- Imperial Premier Products Limited (Company No. 07931946)
- A1 Premier Car Hire Limited (Company No. 06892621)
Both companies were dissolved within a short period after incorporation.
Verity News also reviewed additional officer records linked to the individual:
UK Companies House Officer Record
UK delivery address under review
The shipment is also alleged to have been routed to a residential address in Birmingham, United Kingdom, listed in the air waybill as Bordesley Green East, B9 5SS.
Property records reviewed indicate the location corresponds to a residential house sold in 2023 for approximately £200,000:
Birmingham Property Listing (Rightmove)
Authorities are yet to confirm whether the listed address is linked to the alleged consignee or if it was used as a forwarding location.
Broader concerns over airport security and trafficking networks
The investigation raises serious concerns about how a high-value narcotics shipment allegedly passed through multiple layers of airport screening over a five-day period without detection.
Questions remain unanswered regarding clearance procedures, cargo handling protocols, and potential internal involvement.
Verity News notes that its investigation is ongoing and further revelations are expected as authorities continue their probe.
National concern over drug trafficking
The development has reignited public concern over the growing threat of narcotics trafficking in Liberia, with renewed calls for stronger enforcement and accountability across all levels of the security and customs system.
Authorities have not yet issued an official comprehensive statement addressing the full scope of the allegations.
