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FrontPageAfrica, 22 May 2023
Barely 24 hours after being acquitted of all charges linked to the notorious US$100 million cocaine bust in Monrovia, all four defendants have reportedly fled the country, leaving… Read more »
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Liberia: Senate to Probe U.S.$100 Million Cocaine Case
New Dawn, 24 May 2023
Montserrado County Senator Abraham Dillon has termed Criminal Court "C" recent verdict in the US$100 million drugs case as a factor that undermines collective efforts to combat… Read more »
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Liberia: GOL Rejects Return of U.S.$200,000
New Dawn, 24 May 2023
-files Writ of Prohibition against Judge Blamo Dixon Read more »
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Liberia: Why the Govt Lost the U.S.$100 Million Case (Pt1)
New Dawn, 24 May 2023
Intro: The acquittal verdict returned by the trial jury in the US$100m cocaine case in favor of the defendants and confirmed by His Honor A. Blamo Dixon, Resident Circuit Judge of… Read more »
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Liberia: Authorities Lose Track of Drug Dealers Involved in U.S.$100 Million Cocaine Shipment
Nile Post, 23 May 2023
The authorities in Liberia say they've lost all trace of four suspected drug dealers linked to a $100m (£80m) cocaine shipment, after a trial jury unexpectedly acquitted… Read more »
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Liberia: Playing Games in the U.S.$100 Million Cocaine Case
New Dawn, 22 May 2023
The NEW DAWN senses a clear gameplay in the US$100 million cocaine case at Criminal Court "A", Temple of Justice involving four defendants that have been released by the court… Read more »
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Liberia: U.S.$100 Million Cocaine Trial Ends Today At Criminal Court 'B'
FrontPageAfrica, 18 May 2023
The US$100M cocaine case will be decided after the final arguments between prosecution and defense lawyers before the judge and panel jury at Criminal Court C, at the Temple of… Read more »
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Liberia: Court Subpoena Newdawn Publisher
New Dawn, 26 April 2023
-Over TRH US100M drug busts article Read more »
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Liberia: Gov't Loses U.S.$100 Million Drug Case
New Dawn, 19 May 2023
Liberian prosecutors have lost a court battle in a US$100m drug burst case against defendants Malam Conte, Adulai Djibri Djalo, Makki Admeh Issam, and Oliver A. Zayzay. Read more »
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Liberia: 'Irresponsible Face Shielding'
New Dawn, 23 May 2023
-Simeon Freeman descends on Justice Minister Dean Read more »
U.S.$100 Million Cocaine Acquittal a Blow to Liberia's Drug War
A notorious U.S.$100 million cocaine bust in Liberia's capital Monrovia, and the acquittal of all four defendants - Makki Ahmed Issam, Adulai Djalo, Oliver Zayzay, and Malam Conte, is a case that serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by Liberia in combating drug trafficking, especially considering the country's history as a transit zone for narcotic drugs destined for Europe and other parts of the world, writes Lennart Dodoo for FrontPageAfrica.
Barely a day after being acquitted of all charges, the four reportedly fled the country, leaving behind the U.S.$200,000 that was ordered returned to them by the court, following their May 18, 2023 acquittal. They also faced additional charges of money laundering, unlicensed possession of controlled drugs, unlicensed importation of controlled drugs, and criminal conspiracy.
The issues surrounding the jury trial system in Liberia have also come to the forefront. Legal experts continue to raise concerns about the composition of the jury, with many individuals assigned to jury service being financially disadvantaged and potentially lacking a comprehensive understanding of the cases presented before them. In addition, the lack of adequate funding for prosecutors has resulted in insufficient trial preparation, leading to a high rate of case losses for the State.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Cllr. Frank Musah Dean, expressed his disappointment with the verdict. He has raised concerns about the sudden departure of the defendants from the country.
