Monrovia, Liberia – Following backlash from the general public over the recent non-guilty ruling handed down by Criminal Court “C” in the US$100 million drugs case, the government of Liberia vowed to re-arrest offenders and make them face the full force of the law.
Drug trafficking is an international crime, thus offenders won’t get away with it, Minister Ledgerhood Julius Rennie said on Thursday, May 25, 2023 during the Ministry of Information, Culture, Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT) regular news briefing in Monrovia.
According to him, West Africa has turned into a hub for drug trafficking, something the government would not stand for. The Minister noted that the fight against drug trafficking is not just an executive issue; rather, it necessitates the participation of all branches of government, including the judiciary and the legislature. He added that the illegal drug cases weaken national efforts to combat narcotics and their negative impacts.
Minister Rennie warns the public against damaging the reputation of government attorneys, emphasizing that all evidence was provided throughout the trial by government attorneys. The best witness that was available was presented in court.
It can be recalled on Thursday, May 18, 2023, the jurors at Criminal Court “C” unanimously acquitted four defendants accused of importing into Liberia, 520 kilometers of cocaine valued at US$100 million from a business identified as TRH Business Center in Monrovia.
Oliver Zayzay, a Liberian, and three foreignersโMakki Ahmed Issam, Adulai Djalo, and Malam Conteโwere among the four defendants found not guilty by Judge Blamo Dixon of the Court.
Reported by: Joseph N. Kerkula
Email: jnkerkula@gmail.com
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