Liberian Senate Grills Joint Security Over $19 Million Drug Scandal

[0:00] tax force members while we applaud what the lda is doing in seizing uh drugs you know in taxi [0:10] drivers coming from the border we want you to know that the drug business is personal to all of us [0:19] most of us in this room and a lot of the people who sent us here have crisis in our families [0:28] this drug business senators here and then who sent us here out there their children and our children [0:41] this thing is eating them up we rely on you to fight this thing that is why we don't play with [0:52] security budget here everybody can agree yes you cry all the time you don't have enough money but we [0:59] give you the requests that come here we really touch security requests that come from the president [1:06] so that you can fight this thing the intelligence for this thing since you have established that [1:11] it's not manufactured here our country is only a transshipment point for the kind of drug here to [1:19] come in our country without any of you detecting this through your intelligence network i have to [1:25] say as much as i appreciate the work you do that this is a massive intelligence failure and we're not [1:34] happy about that thank you uh senator i hear you and uh when i open when i opened my statement i spoke [1:42] about the vulnerabilities that exist here today the borders uh the amend areas and stuff that uh [1:52] we could just uh impossible entry points however i can tell you that before this 19 million seizure [1:59] yes we had picked up intelligence on this that we were working before this even the [2:05] the seizure came about so it's not a total intelligence failure we had information but we're tracking it [2:11] powering it before the seizure came about it almost left the country sir it didn't leave it didn't leave [2:17] that's true but it almost did a clear security in your own statement a clear security at rra if we [2:25] you know that thing was not delayed by another day we'll have been out of this country so so i don't [2:29] think you defend that no no no i'm not here to be on the defensive or i'm here to provide uh information [2:34] based on requests and to answer the concerns of the representatives of the lagoon people so i mean the fact that you [2:41] had the intelligence you were following it you were following the country and you were packaging it [2:48] we have intelligence that there could be movement transit point look from 20 obviously for 22 from the [2:54] time we arrested this cookie here in the 100 million it was obvious that labura was a transshipment ground [3:00] it was better it was established before this government even though what i brought was a transshipment [3:04] ground it was 100 established so we have been following steps back and back and forth look there's not [3:10] here that like i say in subsequent briefings after this starting maybe before we even reach to to [3:16] charging in our other case there will be a detailed in-house briefing so you all can understand the [3:20] magnitude of what we're investigating but our investigation i can i can guarantee you is about [3:26] the safety and well-being of this state and the future of our children thank you sir thank you um [3:32] thank you thank you um let me extend thanks to the national security team for doing themselves [3:54] um this question to all of you should i believe these one two or three of you are aware of this whole [4:11] drug situation and no matter what happened in the report will get that or there'll be no court case [4:16] or the court case will go as usual nobody will be found guilty honorable senator please do not believe [4:24] that thank you sir for everybody everybody all say no sir everybody will speak on their own say [4:37] honorable senator please do not believe that that's a reason we are asking for time and patience to [4:45] we show that we bring everyone involved into this and we show that prosecution is done honorable senators [4:57] definitely there will be charges and there will be prosecution in this case another question [5:04] another question i asked is there any reason why i should believe that none of you here innocent of [5:12] what happened well honorable senator except where if you have any other information otherwise but [5:23] i'm an individual i have no knowledge about lightning or anything i have no knowledge [5:36] honorable senator if i'm understanding is whether we're participants in being involved with the drug [5:44] as participants and i would say honorable i definitely not a participant [5:53] i have no knowledge i cannot speak to that because we are individuals but [6:02] I am nothing. [6:04] No, no. [6:15] Can you please come up with a question? [6:17] Was there a question for you? [6:19] No, I'm still on the floor. [6:22] Mr. EPS Director, are you okay? [6:24] Is there some apprehension? [6:26] Because... [6:29] We probably all got a team reminding you to use a microphone. [6:35] I have no knowledge of anything. [6:38] Mr. EPS Director, I would personally urge you to please compose yourself before the Library Senate. [6:47] What do I mean by that? [6:53] That you will address the Senate appropriately and you will demean yourself. [6:57] That's what I mean by that. [6:58] How? [7:00] How? [7:01] How? [7:02] I have no knowledge. [7:05] I have no knowledge. [7:14] I have no knowledge. [7:17] I have no knowledge. [7:19] I have no knowledge. [7:20] I have no knowledge. [7:21] I have no knowledge. [7:23] I have no knowledge. [7:25] I have no knowledge. [7:31] I have I have no commission on this CR network. [7:34] I have no knowledge. [7:35] I have a commission on this CR multipath. [7:40] I have no knowledge. [7:54] I have the commission of this CR era. [8:01] Thank you. [8:04] The DA officer in charge, who do you report to? [8:16] Who's your current boss? [8:17] Who do you report to? [8:19] I report to the Minister of Justice. [8:23] In line and after the Minister of Justice, who do you report to? [8:26] That's my direct boss, sir. [8:30] What's your current relationship with the police? [8:33] I'm attending the Commission of Police, serving police officers. [8:39] Do you report to the AG? [8:40] No, sir. [8:42] Accordingly, they would express your police on matter of national security. [8:45] The current guy asked about Michael Brown. [8:53] So maybe I should go back to Michael Brown. [8:55] But can anybody tell me who is Rahim Baah and where he is? [9:04] Everyone said that Rahim Baah is alleged to be the person who delivered the narcotics to Mr. King. [9:24] However, Rahim Baah is alleged. [9:27] And we have not established that. [9:30] So until we can get Mr. Rahim Baah, I mean, he's still out there. [9:34] So Michael Brown is alleged. [9:37] Rahim Baah is alleged. [9:39] Can you tell me who is Imayakuan and where he is? [9:46] Imayakuan is also alleged. [9:59] Can you tell me who is Oscar Brown and where he is? [10:01] Oscar Brown is an employee of the Rivals International Airport. [10:02] He worked in the Intelligence Division. [10:04] He was on training in China when this incident happened. [10:08] He boarded a flight from China and aborted a flight in mid-air. [10:09] And only he did not return to Liberia. [10:10] So you're also allied? [10:15] Yeah. [10:16] Interesting. [10:17] Is there anyone called Usman Ali? [10:18] Is my name? [10:19] Usman Ali, the shipment record, was the consignee of the UK side who was to receive this package. [10:21] Why is he? [10:22] Allowed. [10:23] Relationship between your investigation body and the witness protection. [10:24] You know, the consignee of the UK side of the UK was to receive this package. [10:29] Why is he? [10:30] Allowed. [10:31] What is the relationship between your investigation body and the witness protection? [10:32] So you're also allied? [10:35] Yeah. [10:36] Interesting. [10:41] Is there anyone called Usman Ali? [10:43] Is that what your name is? [10:45] Usman Ali, the shipment record was the consignee of the UK side who was to receive this package. [10:55] Why is he? [10:57] Aligned. [11:07] What is your relationship between your investigation body and the witness protection? [11:13] Is that a relationship? [11:14] Well, I just wanted to know that we're not at witness protection because there's no witness [11:21] here to be protected at this point. [11:24] So the witness protection comes after if there's a cooperating suspect who is supporting our investigation. [11:34] Is there any suspect or person of interest that has sought witness protection? [11:44] Mr. King's return was, he communicated with the witness protection at the Ministry of Justice [11:52] and returned to Liberia. [11:53] So there was a communication, but we declared him not a person in that capacity. [11:58] So the Attorney General has made that clear and asked him to stay now. [12:02] So do you have a relationship with witness protection on this matter? [12:05] I would say no. [12:07] They were a great support for us to get Mr. Paul King back in the country. [12:13] How was your trip to the UK? [12:20] It was quite, it was a short and very good month. [12:27] We were able to meet with our international partners who raised immediate concern when [12:32] this stuff happened and asked that go over for a quick meeting. [12:36] You might tell us a point to trip to the UK? [12:39] That's confidential, sir, because it speaks to the international cooperation. [12:43] My meetings were with British and Dutch government and I cannot review anything about it here in the public, sir. [12:51] All right, thank you. [12:57] This shipment in questions, do you believe there was a fresh shipment or there was a shipment before the shipment? [13:04] Well, we believe there was previous shipments of similar packages that had left Liberia before here. [13:14] Which destination? [13:15] UK. [13:16] Has there been any arrests? [13:18] From the UK, sir, we haven't heard anything from them as were arrests made. [13:25] Have you asked, have you followed up that shipment left your country on board an international flight to the UK? [13:33] Has there been any follow up? [13:35] Senator, even before coming here, I was on the line again. [13:39] These things, according to them, it takes a lot of time to get it through. [13:47] The speed we're looking for, I mean, it's not what is available to us at this point in time. [13:51] But they ask that we'll be patient and then we'll get back to us. [13:54] Are you aware that the president received a shipment in the UK, mastercard, credit card information, [13:59] that contact and everything is available? [14:01] No, I'm not aware. [14:02] Okay. [14:04] Mr. Could you kindly share that with us, sir? [14:07] I'm not aware. [14:08] I didn't tell you that I have it. [14:11] Well, but I mean, if you, I'm not questioning you, sir. [14:12] I wouldn't actually be aware. [14:13] I didn't tell you that I have it. [14:14] But, sir, you need a... [14:15] I'm not on the witness stand. [14:16] Anyway. [14:17] Thank you. [14:18] The lady who did the screening at the airport, according to my leaked video, put a seal on [14:39] it, security clearance. [14:40] Where is she? [14:42] She's at Central. [14:44] Is she on arrest? [14:45] No. [14:47] What's she doing at Central? [14:48] No. [14:51] They're part of the investigation center that I told you, everybody from that particular [14:56] until we can make an arrest, they go there every morning, straight in the night. [15:00] If you arrest, it's just for the eight hours. [15:02] But yes, she is there. [15:03] She's been going there. [15:04] She's been going from day one straight to the end. [15:07] The airport facility and that, should we declare or consider it a national security installation? [15:23] It is, by law, sir. [15:24] Do you think that if, in pursuit of national security information or intelligence, the [15:32] DEA requires court warrant to search security cameras at a national security installation? [15:38] For judicial scrutiny, yes, sir. [15:41] Do you need a warrant to search it? [15:45] Yes, sir. [15:46] What if it is in hard pursuit? [15:48] What do you do? [15:49] Chief, well, that may not pass judicial scrutiny. [15:54] So these are the mistakes that we just try to avoid. [15:57] It's not one of those things that cover under hard pursuit. [16:01] Can you say that again, please? [16:03] It's not cover under hard pursuit unless where the entity with the work in the agent negotiate [16:08] with that entity and ask them to review the camera instead of showing it to them. [16:13] But in order for it to be accepted into evidence, there has to be a search and seizure warrant issued by the court. [16:19] Mr. EPS Director, if there was a crime at the executive mansion and you went away tomorrow morning and there was a crime that was buggering into your office at the executive mansion, [16:33] will you get court ordered to review the camera at the mansion? [16:38] Mr. Agile Police, can you guys tell me the difference in that, please? [16:48] The director of EPS is directly responsible for that entity. [16:56] He, or the people who control the camera, report directly to him. [16:59] It's his facility. [17:00] He can even bring it and willingly give it to us and that is accepted. [17:03] So it's completely different. [17:05] You really want me to believe your justification? [17:07] Sir, as far as... [17:09] That the airport, the airport, the Rawal International Airport, is a national security installation. [17:16] A major drug trafficking is reported at a major national security installation. [17:26] And the DEA goes to court. [17:28] And the court is giving more than 10 days to review the DEA request. [17:32] To review the video footage from the national security installation. [17:37] Do you want this Senate to believe your explanation, Mr. Agile? [17:41] Chief, I can share... [17:43] I can share... [17:44] Honorable Senator. [17:47] I can even share with you my concerns about... [17:50] My frustrations about exactly what you're talking about in a written communication to the [17:56] Antonio General asking for a revision of these processes with the court, the issue of warrants, [18:02] and the revision of the criminal procedure laws of this country. [18:07] As bad as it may sound, as frustrating as it may be, that's the kind of stuff we go through. [18:12] So even as you're calling for us to get all these things done immediately, [18:16] to even get the court law. [18:18] When you even send a subpoena, the phone company will have to wait for the time the phone company provides that stuff. [18:23] So there are three, four days gone. [18:25] And when you're not getting all the numbers in one day, you'll send this one, you go for another one, you go for another one, you go for another one. [18:32] So every time, it's a tedious process. [18:35] And I mean, as easy as it may sound when you get to that court, and that lawyer just found out that you acquired it by friendship, obviously, they will throw it up. [18:44] They will compromise the case. [18:46] But I can guarantee you that all these T's and I's are dotted in this particular investigation. [18:50] And when we present evidence to the court, it will hold. Thank you, sir. [18:58] Mr. RGP, where is the Texas driver? Or where is the Texas? [19:06] The Texas is parked at the DEA headquarters. [19:09] Where is the driver? [19:10] The driver has been out because the Texas from the investigation so far, the conduit, the person who is one of those that are being investigated, who conveyed it to the airport, his role at this point in time, has not been elevated to a person or suspect. [19:30] Even though the vehicle is parked there as a common carrier, but that person who used that Texas has not been elevated based on what we've gotten from him from the interview. [19:39] The role plays even in this company before this particular event popped it to be. [19:44] Has that been conversation of any of the telephone or electronic devices or any of those persons of interest? [19:50] Almost all. All that we know that they have. Computers, phones, all the electronic gadgets. [19:57] And we've been analyzing and that's how we've been getting some of the facts to elevate them at this point in time. [20:02] So, lastly, you told us that the names we are hearing out there, that people are throwing out, your suspicion is they're trying to divert our attention. [20:17] These people cannot afford it, something that I cannot put you right, you can correct me. [20:22] But the Andrii General named those people at presence of interest. [20:29] Why did you take that into consideration that they're trying to distract the investigation? [20:33] But all the people named by the Andrii General as president of interest, I mean, as well, with those who he listed at large, they're all with the police at this point in time. [20:44] And when I'm talking about people, it's not that they named Michael Brown that's out there. [20:50] It's not that he didn't play a role. He played a significant role. [20:53] But my thing is, do not make me to think that I'm looking for Michael Brown as the person who owns the 19 million dollar draw. [20:59] That's a diversion. There's someone behind Michael Brown that works for Michael Brown, and I can tell you we're making steps beyond that. [21:05] Zaijin? [21:06] Yes, sir? [21:09] Maybe we need to do some more talking on camera with more questions. [21:16] Fair enough, sir. [21:17] And with all of those people that are large, more doubts now that I had before coming in here, that the case will go anywhere. [21:28] Or there will be anyone from guilty for this case. [21:32] Or there will be anyone who will appear in the court, so I wish you were. [21:38] I respectfully accept your doubt, but I can reassure and reconfirm that those who are responsible for this, whether charged in person or in absentia, will be charged and put before the court. [21:52] Look, at this point in time, the extent to which our investigation is gone, we've gone back to look for 1800 treaties with the UK to start even discussion on the possible extradition of Usman Ali. [22:07] We're trying to still identify Rahim Bah. [22:12] The only person who can make us to identify him is the person who claimed that he was transacting with him. [22:17] Until we can move past that, we're charging in absentia, issue a rare notice, and hope that at some point in time, they will be arrested, sir. [22:24] Thank you. [22:25] Senator Patikwa, follow by Senator Taiman. [22:30] Mr. President, thank you very much. [22:33] Thank you for responding to our invitation. [22:43] My concern is, did I require, do you own invitation, drug issue has for the image of our country? [23:01] Yes, sir, we are fully aware, and that's why we attach all levels of importance to the answer. [23:10] You just indicated, I'm from the Sabbath, we have a power. [23:19] We're seeing it right to you somewhere. [23:21] When you are getting there, you're afraid. [23:26] You indicated that the way you say to me no more. [23:33] But I remember a few years, a hundred million years later, serious because of the damage of our country besides the destruction of eternity. [24:05] There, as legislation, what can we do? [24:10] And that is why we pass the appropriate proceeds to be used for the law. [24:25] The property, we say the law, okay, maybe I'll be honest, but the property, the property, sorry, the property. [24:34] The property is used to, eh, to, to, to, to, to, whatever, need that to be done. [24:46] So we, we have done our part, as lawmakers. [24:51] so we we have done our part as lawmakers we talked about the 50 million we talked about [25:00] the 100 million we're talking about the 19 million we have not seen any action resulting from your [25:12] investigation all of the co-action things really setting us a major action to serve as detectives [25:21] we have seen it and that really put fear in us i don't know whether you are aware that currently [25:31] delta airlines all luggages that are coming from liberia are being restricted for going on delta [25:42] airlines because of this for years of liberia are you aware of that well senator i have not verified [25:53] that source it's all are being coded on social media but i mean if you have a verified source [25:59] from delta airlines could you kindly share it with us sir and my sincere condolences on the [26:03] loss of your family member as a result of this issue thank you the number checked out to be [26:12] registered the mark of ds1 as well our investigation so thank you for that so it means that the the [26:21] public the published report is accurate the people that are currently in your custody are they really [26:34] secondary suspect of crime because all the other people that were made by my colleague are alive [26:43] um these uh some of them are assisting the investigation some of them have been elevated [26:53] as suspect in this particular issue that will be subsequently charged let's look at the list of [26:58] people who are at last one this is uh uh rahim bah rahim bah exists as a person that uh the shipper [27:14] that this person delivered his package to his house uh it's incumbent on him to show us his picture [27:20] what rahim bah looks like and to be able to give us some information on who rahim bah actually is up to [27:27] now that has not been established so that's one of the people who's announced the usma ali he's way in [27:35] the uk the michael brown in in in in between here is someone who called but did not show up at the [27:44] airport so all of them being the whole ass before even the michael brown hall even he does he ran away [27:52] before he ran away before the investigation even started honorable honorable senator i apologize for [27:59] my choice of work please he he has called it before the investigation started so from the 50 million to [28:07] the 100 million before we lately came at the 19 million there was never any a major uh uh surveillance on [28:18] of these people that are from these people that are from your own uh information to be served as people [28:25] of eclipse that quickly get out and the situation is just becoming like the other person coming from [28:32] the other person from the 50 million could you really place a surveillance of key people that are in [28:39] the country that are putting us in this in this kind of situation and that's why it like i say requires [28:47] time for us to be able to do this so that is why this time around we're saying we want to present a [28:55] strong case we don't control the judiciary but we want to present something strong well-preserved evidence [29:02] that it will be able to go through judicial scrutiny so that we can have people prosecuted and subsequently [29:12] remind us of the sexual prison we want to have a successful prosecution in this one and that's why [29:18] the 100 million the 50 million all of them still because what was drastic and we apologize for [29:25] like you said you said when you got nothing you can stay calm and say you got nothing so i'll be going [29:31] far we'll update as much as we're able to see even like you said when you got nothing come you say [29:37] but i'm sure that between now and since we have stuff to be able to put out to this topic but i beg you all [29:41] this thing requires serious time it requires a lot of resources that are not just readily available to us [29:47] here we've got to be reaching out waiting on people stand to get feedback to call to us thank you sir [29:53] so uh you really have to understand that this case referencing all of the past experiences has a [30:06] serious damaging image on our country so what we are calling you it means the serious concern that people [30:17] of this country has regarding this case and therefore we are concerned looking up to you [30:24] so the level of time is ticking you know that there are some investigations that require very very [30:33] forensic action so you need to take note on that thank you thank you sir sir [30:41] sir the tower father father sanita brown thank you for telling me thank the national security team [30:52] the father the order is accurate to you and it's a follow-up thank you and welcome [31:10] paul king is uh the person who uh the substance of pick up from and he's the uh what uh operation [31:27] manager for gls is he in liberia yes mr king is here there is he the owner of glx the shareholder [31:48] and the operation manager and the operation manager please on investigative finding the airport not [32:11] security facility is that correct yes sir nine thousand well there's uh the the we have national [32:23] security actors at the airport playing different roles and we have uh the arabian security there as [32:29] well so do you need a good word to come back to that to view the cameras that you put there honorable [32:41] senator this this uh cargo facility is a facility built under uh uh uh a concession uh between gls mass [32:51] and gls mercy is not a government-owned facility it's uh the company's facility the concession said [33:03] well it is not it is not owned by government it's not one even though it's for a national security asset [33:10] but it's not owned by government so scary the walls who meant it they have they have their own they have [33:17] their own security and then they have their own security and then they have the rjs in place of [33:20] part in that facility as well so bizarrely but we have a specific yes sir uh and a bit second to this [33:34] analogy if lx dollar owns the warehouse i know of sammy's living there and you found us the id or [33:54] security you found something that was illegal in our warehouse and i indicate to you that john [34:05] brown brown brought it here in the absence of john brown how will you do them all be up in it [34:12] but time what uh said that do you can you please rephrase and installer owns the warehouse yes sir [34:23] he still goes there for people they scared them from something illegal in our warehouse and he says to [34:33] you they were brought here by john brown and if john brown is not available at night 35 who do you own [34:43] responsible until john brown can show proof that uh he brought it until they started to show proof [34:52] that john brown brought it to him so the the owners would own mr tyler to be able to bring john brown [35:00] and for john brown to admit so by that reasoning are you only paul king responsible at this point in time [35:08] paul king yes is being held responsible we are not going to pass him on this particular drug issue [35:14] he's giving us means for people who supplied it who's not being able to verify passing and that's [35:19] where we are we're still doing the analysis based on what he supplied us sir yes sir you said all of the [35:28] people you have are that were named people of interest they are required appear national police headquarters [35:45] every morning are 830 and they are the hunting tribe what is our guarantee that the way almost all the [35:52] people are people are large that are nice what is what is our guarantee well they have proven not to be [36:01] applied risk we put measures in place from new exe republica and for proper language that guarantees [36:08] the lawyer uh every lawyer signing for them will be 100 responsible if for any reason they have come [36:14] and the lawyers understand the implication and ramification before they even sign so they as the republica [36:21] will protect our poorest voters of their escape if they intend to but they want that to [36:27] 100 when the lawyer guarantees but he guarantees for them and they escape [36:36] so a problem is that sg uh i think we are here because one of my colleagues said it because [36:47] a lot of information because of lack of information we are not being briefed and so we have nothing to [37:00] save our constituents i hope that going forward then we really promised we'll have regular update [37:06] thank you thank you thank you uh thank you senator [37:16] uh thank you senator talum senator brown followed by senator sarah joseph [37:20] let me thank all of you for your appearance [37:37] my first question is what exactly what a drug sees at the ara is what exactly the exact date thank you senator [38:11] uh thank you senator uh i didn't actually give a brief description earlier so to the best of our [38:56] collection the drug was delivered at the airport on the fifth they went to screening screening screening [39:04] and security agents and security agents have issues with the content based on the declarations and [39:11] they while on the screen they had issues and they were deemed for a physical check and through [39:22] physical check it was discovered to be elicit sustained the screen so who was transferred who presented [39:42] these things to be trained so the shipping agent which is ehs was the company that delivered this [39:53] particular cargo to be shipped at gls uh uh menzies warehouse yes it is an institution yes mr uh the [40:12] president of the parking house actually and uh none they are both are part of of those reporting on the [40:20] daily basis and cooperating with them [40:22] uh [40:32] what we know what we know to be the cooking now yes they confirm that it was picked up from mr king [40:37] southern mr king did not even deny it as well [40:39] yes sir [40:48] yes sir [40:57] zero [41:07] The new drug law and the Schumler Procedure Laws as well. [41:25] So can you explain why it is so overwhelming to formally tax somebody? [41:36] Sir, we don't want to gather the court and could have to do an investigation. [41:44] At this point in time, we are investigating, everybody is innocent to prove guilty. [41:49] I do. Yes, sir. [41:51] There is a reason why I asked you to explain how the drugs were used. [41:58] The individual took the drugs from somebody's house that you named. [42:03] And you said they took the drugs at the airport. [42:08] There were the agents suspected that these drugs, I mean, these items were drugs. [42:14] So what else would you do to tell the truth? [42:17] First of all, you conferred to any other questions that the items are used. [42:23] Yes, sir. [42:25] What law are you using? [42:28] The law talks about trafficking, transporting, of these items. [42:34] So which law are you using? [42:36] So there's a key phrase in a particular law that says knowingly. [42:41] So let's put this in perspective, right? [42:45] These people who went to the house of Mr. Paul King, they were not just individuals who just went to pick up stuff for him to carry. [42:52] They work for a shipping company. [42:54] What does this shipping company do? [42:56] EHS, as part of what it does, they are, it is a booking agent for Lufthansa, S and Brussels. [43:05] So like how you got those who use the ticketing system, Amadeus, to book tickets. [43:11] They are registered on the Lufthansa site to be able to book space on the plane to ship cargo. [43:19] So if Mr. Paul King contacts EHS and he tells EHS, EHS have this amount of cargo weighing this to be shipped. [43:31] EHS go in the system, put the information in, generate the airwaves, pick up the cargo, deliver it to the airport for screening. [43:38] So here in between, we got to take our time to investigate. [43:41] All right. [43:42] Okay. [43:43] Take my time. [43:45] I.G., are you aware that sitting that is literally knowingly and intentionally made any asset of this law non-billible, a capital crime? [43:58] And Chief, that is one of that? [44:02] Yes, sir. Yes, sir. And that is why, Chief, before you charge somebody, especially for a crime that is non-billible, you have to exhaust all avenues. [44:15] You have to exhaust all avenues to make sure that you agree with it. [44:19] Before the arrest is made? [44:20] Yes. [44:21] Do you know, do you know what is called a capital crime, I.G.? [44:24] I mean, sorry, I take it back. [44:26] Because you are I.G., I don't have to ask you that. [44:28] A capital crime. [44:31] It will still require investigation, detailed investigation. [44:34] From June 8th, I.D., from June 8th, today is July 1. [44:39] Sir, here, I can, I can refer you, well, honestly, these investigations, if you look overseas, you look everywhere else, where they could have way more sophistication. [44:52] They take way longer than this. [44:55] Way, way longer. [44:56] In this case, you have individuals with drugs. [45:01] You discover them somewhere. [45:04] These drugs in the bush or in some warehouse that is not owned by somebody. [45:10] But you have evidence that certain people took these drugs from someone's warehouse. [45:18] Not from someone's warehouse, someone's residence. [45:20] Someone's residence. [45:21] You know the name of the person who was in residence. [45:24] Yes. [45:25] They put them in the vehicle and took them physically at the airport. [45:30] So what is stopping the arrest of these people that took the drugs? [45:35] The reason why I'm asking, we're asking this is, we, we, we are aware. [45:43] How do you move to communities? [45:45] What is expected of having marijuana? [45:50] No small, small drugs. [45:53] And you raid the communities with no notice. [45:57] With no, no, no, no, quote warrant. [46:01] You move on the communities in our communities. [46:06] And put this, this, this, these people that are victims of the people you are shooting. [46:15] That's a great obligation, sir. [46:18] That's a great obligation, sir. [46:19] Please don't act with me. [46:20] I'm, I'm speaking. [46:21] If I'm, if I'm, if I'm, if I'm, you have the right to come back to me. [46:24] Thank you, sir. [46:25] The people that seem to be shooting. [46:30] Say it over me, I'll correct myself. [46:35] Yeah. [46:37] People that seem to be shooting. [46:40] And, and, the victims, the actual victims, our children that are suffering. [46:44] are victims of these people. [46:46] I don't want you really committing this. [46:48] Go to post-cathetic. [46:49] Go to, go, go, go, go to jail. [46:51] You see how many young people there? [46:53] Yeah. [46:55] Simply because somebody brought these, and, and, and, they are addicted to it. [46:59] And they, they, they, they are languishing in person. [47:03] Now, the people that, that brought the drugs, you want to take your time because of this. [47:09] That is why the legislature made this law not billable. [47:13] It gets you, the latitude, arrests people and you take your own time to do your investigation. [47:21] It's like a murder. [47:23] If you see somebody killing, you will say, okay, let me go find out the intention, what [47:31] the other man had the right intention before you arrest somebody that they kill him. [47:35] Let me go to a question. [47:47] Actually, why there seems to be some preparation treatment for some of this, especially in [47:56] this case. [47:57] For example, Paul King. [47:58] You just told us, told his body that Paul King is the one who has the residence where [48:08] the drugs were sold, where the drugs were picked up and taken to the airport, and Paul King [48:17] is, he will report to your station in the morning, I'm here, he goes back to his business or [48:25] some other business. [48:27] Why? [48:28] Why is he getting some preparation treatment? [48:31] You have, let me, let me, let me, let me go further. [48:39] You arrest at the border, several border. [48:46] Is that what you do to them? [48:47] If you go to the, to the communities, is that what you do to, to our people, our children? [48:56] Why do you do that? [48:57] Why? [48:58] There seems to be a preparation treatment for these people in this, like the case. [49:03] I ask you why. [49:06] All right, well, Senator, thank you. [49:08] First and foremost, we're not shielding anybody. [49:11] And if I, yeah, that's, it may look like that to you, but let me just confirm it that we're [49:16] not shielding anybody. [49:17] And if I do see a crime happening, they play a new doctrine, I mean, I won't make an arrest [49:22] immediately. [49:23] So that's not something that I will, I will, I will say, oh, I need a warrant to arrest. [49:27] However, what you're talking about being preferential treatment, Mr. King has not been treated for [49:32] any, different from anybody else who's in this investigation at this point in time. [49:36] Senator, I mean, it's, it's, it's, it's difficult that I've got to keep saying this over and [49:40] over, I mean, this thing, if we rush it, I wish the way how you explain this is, it's [49:45] so simple and easy. [49:46] I will tell you how to pull, you made, you made it so clear. [49:49] You made it very clear, simple, easy. [49:51] I will tell you how to pull a king here, he and he with a box of drugs to the port, and [49:55] then tell you how to explain the drugs that I said, keep, and then many of them are going [49:59] to carry the drugs. [50:00] He and everyone carrying it to the airport, and he and everyone getting it to the port to carry [50:02] it, and they accept it like that, and then process it. [50:04] If we do that, they will throw it up. [50:07] They will throw it up. [50:07] They will throw it up. [50:08] They will throw it up. [50:09] Who? [50:10] Which car? [50:10] Okay, okay, okay, I'll tell me, I'll tell me, I'll tell me. [50:15] Justice Minister, we invited Justice Minister, please come in here. [50:22] We, Madam, Madam, Madam, Madam Acting Minister, Madam Acting Minister. [50:30] The two senators, think if Senator Brown, the floor, to interact. [50:35] Madam Minister, can you, can you tell the IG and tell this body? [50:40] Why do you think your firmness of this law made it non-billable? [50:48] Why is the implication? [50:50] Question. [50:51] Well, crimes that are non-billable on our law, because we do have people that are in detention [51:03] for being charged with crimes that are non-billable, it gives the persecutor the opportunity to persecute [51:11] them. [51:12] Can you bring the microphone close to you? [51:17] Can you hear me? [51:18] You better? [51:19] Okay. [51:20] If it is non-billable, it gives the state, the persecutor, the ministry of justice, the opportunity [51:24] to persecute them. [51:25] If it is non-billable, you can, the state can affect your arrest. [51:36] And while that person is in the custody of the, of the state, the state can conduct investigation. [51:42] Am I right? [51:44] So why are we not doing it in this case? [51:48] Honourable Senator, I have to. [51:51] That's why I said, preparation treatment, because the law gives you coverage. [51:56] It is not like the 24 hours deadline, 48 hours that you have. [52:04] You charge, and you can continue with the investigation, it's non-billable. [52:11] Honourable Senator, I have this, I have this, I have this national joint security investigation. [52:30] So it's not just the police and national security, other national security. [52:33] Can we get any other view on our laws, senators, on the non-billable aspect? [52:37] I think you should get it. [52:40] Yeah, we want to get. [52:43] For the power, come back to you. [52:45] Let's get more on that. [52:46] Senator Taylor, you want to speak to that? [52:48] We have to make that clear. [52:51] If I'm giving an opportunity... [52:53] Madam Minister, yeah, Madam Protem, the civil rights colleagues, the issue about it can't [53:01] be non-billable is to give. [53:05] Use your microphone. [53:07] The non-billable issue, arrest is not normally the first thing to do, unless there's a coverable [53:19] cost. [53:21] Senator Brown's issue here, Madam Protem and the civil rights colleagues, there's a [53:26] coverable cost, established already. [53:29] You got drug, cocaine, you know the warehouse you came from, you know the carrier. [53:37] If they can't say who it's for, that it's for them. [53:41] Prosecute them. [53:43] You get the answers that you're looking for. [53:51] But you don't have to question loose. [53:52] Streets in your house, in the night, interacting, destroying evidence. [53:57] Why is it the... [54:00] Why do we... [54:01] Madam Minister, Madam Minister, what is the level of the supervision over the police in this [54:08] matter? [54:09] Because you should die. [54:10] Because you should die. [54:13] That is sweet. [54:17] So why? [54:18] You are the chair. [54:19] So why? [54:20] You are the chair. [54:21] Honourable Senator, as I mentioned previously, we've had instances of 100 million worth of [54:30] drugs in life. [54:31] Madam Minister, should tell us clearly whether in this case, in this instance, these suspects [54:36] should be arrested in accordance with the law, in accordance with the drug law that says [54:42] it should not be billable. [54:44] Thank you, Madam. [54:48] You have to tell us clearly. [54:49] You are here as the Justice Minister. [54:52] Thank you, Honourable Senator. [54:57] What I was saying is that we've had instances of 100 million worth of drugs in Liberia. [55:03] We've also had instances of 50 million, and now we have instances of 19 million. [55:08] What we want to do is to ensure, because the investigation is going on... [55:15] Should the suspect be arrested by now, in accordance with that law? [55:20] We want you to tell us exactly what should be the case. [55:23] In accordance with that law. [55:25] Honourable Senator, we... [55:27] To be out of custody while they are being investigated. [55:30] That is the question that we want the minister to answer. [55:33] The ministry to answer. [55:35] You represent the Ministry of Justice. [55:37] We're begging for a little bit more time. [55:42] When we came earlier... [55:43] No. [55:44] Madam Minister. [55:45] Madam Minister. [55:46] Madam Minister. [55:47] Madam Minister. [55:48] Madam Minister. [55:49] Madam Minister. [55:50] Madam Minister. [55:51] Madam Minister. [55:52] Madam Minister. [55:53] Madam Minister. [55:54] I was not doing ABC thing with y'all, but I first asked each of you to tell us what [56:00] you know the magnitude of being on earth and perpetuate. [56:04] Because their hearing doesn't end here. [56:06] Testimonies given here have been noted. [56:07] To determine what are you... [56:08] You... [56:09] You... [56:10] You've fallen... [56:11] Went by being on earth. [56:12] The question the protest asked and our court is asking. [56:13] At the acting Attorney General of Liberia, the simple thing is, if you arrest somebody for [56:14] the eight hours to not pass, you charge them the court. [56:15] You are not bailable offence or not bailable offence. [56:16] Once you arrest somebody, you will be prepared to charge them. [56:17] You can arrest people because it's not bailable, then you keep on investigating because after [56:19] the eight hours, somebody can find him to court. [56:20] and I will put it asking you. [56:23] At the Acting Attorney General of Liberia, [56:27] the simple thing is, if you arrest somebody [56:31] for the eight hours to not pass, [56:32] you should charge them to court. [56:34] It is under bailable offense or non-bailable offense. [56:38] Once you arrest somebody, [56:39] you must be prepared to charge them. [56:41] You can arrest people because it's not bailable, [56:43] then you keep on investigating [56:45] because after 48 hours, [56:47] somebody can find him in his corpus. [56:49] But in this instance, let me repeat, [56:53] in as much as this matter is not bailable, [56:55] in as much as we want you to do your professional job, [56:58] you cannot reason to be here [57:00] because you have the drug they ever see. [57:04] You have the place of discovery where it was, [57:06] where it came from. [57:08] You can't tell me that you don't have parable costs to arrest. [57:13] The people are not denying, [57:14] but they don't want to tell you who it's for, [57:17] where it's coming from. [57:18] They need it for them. [57:19] Charge them to court. [57:21] Let me see which court will put the answer. [57:24] Charge them to court, you know, stop it. [57:26] All right. [57:26] Let me move on. [57:27] Let me move on through that. [57:29] Let me move on through that. [57:32] Here's why one of our police... [57:34] Yeah, come tell me that, man. [57:36] Yeah, thank you for that. [57:37] Here's why one of our police said, [57:39] I think we have determined that we have, you know, [57:46] the serious matter on the social media comes from out of it. [57:49] Because, as I said, the opponent spoke yesterday, [57:55] and that had it in the department. [57:58] All of us are affected by this drug strain. [58:01] All of us are affected by this drug strain. [58:04] Our families are affected by this drug strain. [58:08] So let me continue. [58:10] RJ, in your previous statement, [58:14] you alluded to lips in an investigation. [58:21] Why do you think the lips are happening? [58:26] Why do you think so? [58:29] Well, that's why we're investigating, I mean, the motive of the officers [58:33] who are involved with this particular leaky issue [58:35] to be able to determine why it is happening. [58:37] And Senator, in your... [58:38] And these officers are... [58:40] Some of them are members of the... [58:42] I mean, they have the different security forces, right? [58:45] Yeah, yeah. [58:47] All the leaks came from when they initially started at the LDA, [58:50] before it was elevated to a national joint security investigation. [58:54] Senator, a key thing here, we're not... [58:59] Why would we protect somebody against everything [59:02] that you all have, with both confidence in us to do? [59:05] You, in your wisdom, in carving this law, [59:07] you put a key component, which is knowingly. [59:11] I can see him with this particular drug. [59:14] I can see him with it. [59:15] My thing to prove whether this drug belongs to him [59:19] is to investigate whether he knowingly, knowingly. [59:23] That's right, Ethan. [59:24] Thank you, Martha. [59:26] Thank you, thank you. [59:27] Thank you so much for your attention. [59:28] I know I see him stick to the place. [59:30] Thank you so much for your attention. [59:31] Thank you. [59:32] Thank you. [59:33] You, you, I, I, you, I got a response [59:36] for any magnet network as you know the problem with. [59:38] Hello, hello. [59:39] You know what, you, bank is to dismantle [59:39] this entire network. [59:41] Hello. [59:42] And until we get it, best to get together [59:44] and get together, you, will not be on the dismantling. [59:46] All right, all right. [59:52] All right, let me, let me go on for that. [1:00:01] I have, I have done. [1:00:06] Police. [1:00:09] Police. [1:00:11] Police. [1:00:14] Police. [1:00:19] Police. [1:00:21] Police. [1:00:24] All right, all right. [1:00:26] They ask you to take note, and all of you to take note that the public is listening. [1:00:34] Our young people are watching. [1:00:37] The citizens are watching. [1:00:40] We are national leaders. [1:00:41] We have taken hope to fight this crime. [1:00:46] The president has spoken about this several times. [1:00:58] The man is here with you. [1:00:59] The boy who took the drugs to the airport. [1:01:01] I think it will be very important for this, for this hearing. [1:01:04] Imano is a college student. [1:01:07] He goes to university. [1:01:08] The guy who works at EHS uses this kit every now and again when they have a package to pick [1:01:15] up, just to go pick up stuff. [1:01:17] He makes a little $20, $20, $30 here and there. [1:01:20] All he does, we have a package at this location. [1:01:22] He goes, he pick it up, check out a taxi, put it in the pair for the taxi, pay him $20, $30. [1:01:26] He gets it to the airport. [1:01:29] He goes back and forth. [1:01:31] He went to the airport. [1:01:32] When they said they didn't have to open it, he used his key and helped them to open it. [1:01:43] When they opened it, when they opened it up and they saw what it was, the kid got afraid. [1:01:47] He may have run away, but eventually he turned around and came back. [1:01:52] He probably who would say noes and keep calling from his sweet孩 so he would say 1. [1:02:07] Let me see, let me see. [1:02:08] Let me see there. [1:02:10] Let me see. [1:02:15] Let me see. [1:02:25] Let me see. [1:02:27] The single senator, I think there is a very important point in this hearing. [1:02:42] If we reach the point where we will say the aspect of that law that says that people should be arrested based on the non-vailable aspect, it has to be interpreted. [1:02:54] It has to be interpreted because in that case, if these people should be arrested while they're being investigated, then that has to be done. [1:03:04] And the Senate can take a position on that. [1:03:06] That's why I keep asking for the interpretation. [1:03:09] And that's why we keep asking the acting minister of justice, the Senate can take a clear position on that, that if that's what the law says, then the John Security must take that action. [1:03:22] Thank you, thank you, thank you. [1:03:24] The John Security must take that action and have no suspect arrested because that's how it's done with rape cases. [1:03:35] That's how it's done with rape cases. [1:03:39] You do the arrest before the investigation, that's what they say, non-vailable. [1:03:44] Yeah, Senator Zewan, we're here to make sure that John was a lawyer for them. [1:03:53] Exist only? [1:03:54] Well, that was for Yan Koye as the next one. [1:03:57] After this, after this, after him, Sar Joseph and Yan, the list is in the proper order. [1:04:10] So, after Senator Brown, Senator Sar Joseph and Senator Yan, for now, we're here from senators who have become mine to advise us on this aspect. [1:04:23] But, I'll put to him. [1:04:24] Yes. [1:04:25] The non-vailable law can be the least right. [1:04:28] Okay. [1:04:29] They have not been charged. [1:04:31] As the one Senator Brown is saying, charge is to vote. [1:04:34] Then, okay, so that's the clarity. [1:04:36] All right, so if they are not charged, then we cannot say that they'll be arrested. [1:04:40] They have to be charged. [1:04:42] Okay, then we'll see. [1:04:44] All right. [1:04:47] So, why are we pushing them so they don't have them charged? [1:04:51] Yes. [1:04:51] We want to put them. [1:04:54] We want to be careful. [1:04:56] Put them. [1:04:57] Yes. [1:05:02] Yes, there is public. [1:05:03] So, that's why we're asking senators with legal minds. [1:05:13] Thank you. [1:05:14] And it's already clear that once they are not charged, they will not be arrested. [1:05:20] No. [1:05:20] No. [1:05:24] You must have possible costs to arrest people. [1:05:31] Yes. [1:05:31] When they are arrested on a child that is not billable, when they are arrested, you can [1:05:37] for the eight hours, you charge them to court, they can't, they are not billable. [1:05:42] Yeah. [1:05:42] That very issue is at the court. [1:05:45] But you don't reach at the court if you don't charge them. [1:05:48] Yes. [1:05:48] You don't charge them if you don't investigate. [1:05:50] Okay. [1:05:50] You don't, and you don't arrest them if there are no probable costs. [1:05:54] Yes. [1:05:54] Yes. [1:05:54] We are insisting here there is probable cause. [1:05:58] There is emergency of the term. [1:06:00] Okay. [1:06:00] There's a place of storage. [1:06:02] There's knowledge of who was stolen with it. [1:06:04] If I was against it, who gave them the story and for them. [1:06:07] The ID there and the drugs together there cannot tell us no probable cause to arrest anybody. [1:06:12] No. [1:06:12] They want to do that. [1:06:13] That's it. [1:06:14] That's it. [1:06:14] That's it. [1:06:15] I don't want you to do that. [1:06:16] And we're telling them also to keep them. [1:06:18] Keep them. [1:06:19] All right. [1:06:20] Keep them up for the motion. [1:06:21] Let's keep that up for the motion. [1:06:24] And they're post-alibes. [1:06:26] Are you just going to put them? [1:06:27] How's it going to put them? [1:06:30] All right. [1:06:30] Let's keep that up for the motion. [1:06:32] ID, the team, it was reported. [1:06:38] Also reported in the media, in the papers, that prior to the seizure of the 19 plus million, [1:06:47] there was another consignment that was already shipped around 10 million. Can you confirm all deniements please? [1:06:59] Confirm that sir. Especially with the amount attached to this, we know that there was a similar shipment, same packaging that was shipped before this. [1:07:21] Now, investigating, or have you let it slide? Are you investigating the prior shipment? The news of the prior shipment? [1:07:31] Senator, this is what the investigation is. Because, I mean, the seeing actors in our warehouse, they have not changed. [1:07:37] So yes. So it came from the same warehouse? [1:07:40] That's the cargo handling place. Any cargo that the ship will go through. [1:07:44] And we're still doing investigation with both of them. [1:07:50] Let me go to the VA OIC. [1:07:55] Honorable OIC, is it true that you resigned or attempted to resign? [1:08:04] It was speculated in the papers. We saw some letters said it with it. [1:08:08] Do you care to clarify whether you will resign or you attempted to resign as OIC of the VA? [1:08:16] Yes. [1:08:17] Honorable Senator, that information is fixed. [1:08:18] Officially, yes. Put on my Facebook page and also the Constitution make an official statement. [1:08:33] Thank you. [1:08:36] Thank you. [1:08:39] Thank you, protein and police. While we are with the AG, the director. [1:08:56] Senator, let me take charge for a few minutes. [1:08:58] How many minutes do you have at the airport? [1:09:05] At the Rawa International Airport, we have a deployment of over 14 officers. [1:09:15] What's the operations like? They have a wrong specific area that they can go to. [1:09:22] Are they also in charge of entering the GLS warehouse? [1:09:27] The officers at the Rawa International Airport run an operational ship and they have access to all areas at the Rawa International Airport. [1:09:38] Was the NN tape given you various packages that left the country? [1:09:44] No sir. [1:09:47] Since you got the information, have you asked your men? [1:09:53] Can I repeat sir? [1:09:56] Since you got the information of previous packages as such that have been arrested, have you asked your men whether they got NN tape and what were the responsibility? [1:10:09] What were they doing? [1:10:10] Since we got, since we made the arrest on June 8th, I have not asked my team on information of previous shipment of that same category. [1:10:22] Is that the question sir? [1:10:23] Yes. [1:10:24] It's all part of the broader investigation that we are going through. [1:10:28] Yes, I have told you. [1:10:30] You have asked them, so were they present and they also allowed those packages to go? [1:10:39] There are operational challenges at the airport and they are all part of the investigations all going through. [1:10:47] What's the limitation at the airport? [1:10:50] What's the operational challenges you're talking about? [1:10:53] So, information available to us today is at the screening warehouse. [1:10:59] The RRI security is the only security that is present at the screening. [1:11:05] So, when they are foreign image identified, then they will call the regulatory institution. [1:11:12] For example, the DVA will be called, but they are not present at the screening. [1:11:17] Why? [1:11:19] What are the operations challenges and what are the product investigations, sir? [1:11:24] Do you know of ENF's worker at the airport near Riversel? [1:11:34] He's son-named Riversel? [1:11:35] Yes, sir. [1:11:36] Where is he? [1:11:37] Riversel with the investigation team. [1:11:40] I got him. [1:11:44] That is me. [1:11:47] I got him. [1:11:48] He is going to be Riversel. [1:11:50] This fellow is part of the investigation, as he stated, right? [1:12:06] Yes, sir. [1:12:08] Have you spoken to him? [1:12:09] Yes, sir. [1:12:10] Is he safe? [1:12:13] Safe. I can guarantee that he's safe. [1:12:18] What was his responsibility at the airport? [1:12:21] He's an airport security supervisor. [1:12:24] You were placed on the ocean. Are you aware of the activities of the GLS? [1:12:40] Some of the activities with MERSI? [1:12:46] I don't have prior information on the GLS operational activities, [1:12:50] but the investigations have given me some insight on their operational activities. [1:12:56] Where's the office of EHS? [1:12:59] EHS office is on the LAPACI. [1:13:06] The responsibility of Mr. Paul Kim to GLS? [1:13:14] The government said GLS Paul Kim is a shareholder and also operational manager for GLS, [1:13:20] as far as the investigations are established. [1:13:22] Are you aware that MERSI is in partnership and they are from the UK and most of the packages are going to the UK [1:13:34] and MERSI is from the UK and in partnership with GLS? [1:13:38] We are part of the broader investigations that we are establishing, sir. [1:13:43] What have you established? [1:13:44] We are establishing and we are not yet establishing. [1:13:47] So we are still investigating our conditions with AGC, [1:13:51] any of these or permanent investigations. [1:13:53] We are establishing that. [1:13:55] Director, they have an agreement. [1:13:58] There's nothing to be established. [1:13:59] They have an agreement. [1:14:01] GSL have an agreement with MERSI. [1:14:05] MERSI is from the UK. [1:14:07] So how is it you're going to establish that you haven't been able to ask those questions? [1:14:14] You haven't requested for those documents? [1:14:16] Senator, it's, it's, like, let me say this investigations is, uh, like, I mean, uh, one comment I want to make earlier, [1:14:29] was the comment, the comment that came from the distinguished senator from Grand Cru County. [1:14:35] He elaborated on the previous 150 and then 19. [1:14:41] And our interest is not just to, to make the arrest. [1:14:48] I'm not talking about arrest. [1:14:49] You're not having a conversation. [1:14:50] I'm not going to arrest. [1:14:51] We're not going to arrest. [1:14:52] I'm asking you about MERSI relationship to GLS and the packages coming to the UK where MERSI is from. [1:15:02] With no packages leaving, they are in charge of the hindering charges of the activities at the airport. [1:15:10] That's my question I'm asking you. [1:15:11] Yeah. [1:15:12] Because, you listen to my point. [1:15:15] You have Mr. King who were for GLS and MERSI partner with GLS. [1:15:23] And the packages going to the UK and MERSI is from the UK. [1:15:28] That's my point that you say he's still trying to establish. [1:15:31] Our senator's investigation is not processed. [1:15:38] Senator, can I give you a little, uh, information? [1:15:46] So, at the Roberts International Airport, off by MERSI. [1:15:59] MERSI is an international company that runs hundreds of airports around the world, including London Heathrow. [1:16:06] GLS MERSI is a sister company that handles the cargo side of it. [1:16:13] So, when the cargo is delivered at the airport, the facility there has custom and, uh, they have also the, uh, RIA security. [1:16:24] That's the GLS MERSI's facility. [1:16:27] UK? [1:16:37] Yeah. [1:16:38] So, they, they, they have a GLS. [1:16:44] GLS MERSI. [1:16:45] GLS MERSI has a construction with the government of Liberia. [1:16:49] The GSL contracted MERSI from the UK to partner with them to operate at the airport. [1:16:58] The packages are going to the UK from Liberia. [1:17:05] The packages left Mr. Paul Kinghouse, who is the operation manager for GLS. [1:17:12] True or first? [1:17:16] That's what I said here earlier. [1:17:20] Uh, but if you want me to throw more light on it, I can do so. [1:17:24] So, you see, that's the reason why this investigation is not like everything else that we've always done. [1:17:33] There, there is a likely possibility, looking at what the contract is, what's the operating procedure of all of these companies and everything, [1:17:42] beyond just charging individuals, there could be companies that could be indicted as well. [1:17:46] But you have to be able to investigate these things properly. [1:17:49] Uh, did Mr. King act as an individual or did Mr. King act in his capacity as GLS, uh, operation manager? [1:17:57] Mr. King is claiming that he acted in a, in a, in a, in a personal capacity. [1:18:02] So, when investigating between that of Mr. King's work, sir, excuse me, Mr. Aji, there's no way we allow him to act as an individual. [1:18:14] No, he does not, but also allow him to act as an individual. [1:18:17] It's about establishing it. [1:18:18] He is the operation manager and the shareholder. [1:18:23] This is why the packages left his house. Packages are picked up from his house. [1:18:29] So, no other packages left his house because he called EHS to come and pick up the packages because he acted as an operation manager and a shareholder. [1:18:41] That's why he was respected. [1:18:43] Okay, let me tell you what we are with our investigation right now in line with that. [1:18:46] Let me tell you. Let me put this out. [1:18:49] Put it out. [1:18:50] GLS, how long have you been doing business with EHS? [1:18:57] 2024, 2025, 2026. [1:18:59] GLS. [1:19:01] GLS, they have, they have not been doing walk-in costs for a while. [1:19:06] We are now saying that GLS is short proof as to how you've been paying attention, acting with Mr. Keek, with Mr. Abla. [1:19:15] Mr. Abla is ready and he said they've been paying any cash through offer. [1:19:17] They want straight to none. [1:19:19] So, we ask them to show proof if there's been any different way that GLS has operated with him [1:19:25] that would be different from how Paul King has been operating with him. [1:19:27] So, these are the kind of things that we're trying to differentiate. [1:19:30] Before you can guide the company, all that pricing, you can get exhaust, all of these things. [1:19:35] Nobody's seen anybody here. [1:19:36] I wouldn't put my carry on the ladder for somebody. [1:19:39] And this floor would be a chair to fall exactly where it may. [1:19:42] Everybody who's going to vote in this particular thing will be charged. [1:19:45] Mr. Abla, no one is, I think that you're stealing anyone. [1:19:51] That's not what we're saying. [1:19:52] We are looking at the responsibility of GLS and MESI. [1:19:57] Part of their responsibility is supply chain security at the airport. [1:20:03] They control the CCTV camera at the airport. [1:20:09] All handling, goods coming in, they are in charge. [1:20:15] The operation manager, the shareholder, is the one that's giving authority of the drugs to be picked up to take to the airport. [1:20:25] Okay, so Chief, let's make a distinction here with that. [1:20:28] Mr. Paul King is operations manager for GLS, as it is a company. [1:20:35] When it comes to the operation of GLS, MESI's at the airport, their whole operation is a shareholder. [1:20:41] He is a shareholder of GLS. [1:20:43] So he's part of GLS. [1:20:44] So he's part of GLS. [1:20:45] Yes. [1:20:46] The government of Algeria, no GLS. [1:20:49] But then they have a joint venture. [1:20:52] Yes. [1:20:53] They are now in partnership with MESI from the UK. [1:20:56] Yes. [1:20:57] So they are in collaboration. [1:20:58] Yes. [1:20:59] They have same responsibility. [1:21:00] Okay, and that is why we called MESI's in. [1:21:03] MESI's, what is your collaboration with this company? [1:21:06] What role does GLS play in this? [1:21:08] MESI's says, when it comes to our operation, because we are the experts in cargo handling, [1:21:12] as far as aircraft safety and everything is concerned, we run the operations of the business. [1:21:18] They have people on the financier side. [1:21:21] Look, these are all of the things that we try. [1:21:24] MESI is not limited to just a few things. [1:21:29] MESI handles the cargo directly. [1:21:32] Yes. [1:21:33] They take care of security. [1:21:36] They take care of both cargoes going in and coming out. [1:21:39] MESI handles that. [1:21:40] MESI handles that. [1:21:41] That's why they were contracted, because GSL don't have the capacity. [1:21:45] So my point to you, you went to the UK and you came back. [1:21:51] You met them, right? [1:21:53] I didn't meet with MESI. [1:21:54] I didn't meet with MESI. [1:21:55] I didn't meet with MESI. [1:21:56] I didn't meet with MESI. [1:21:57] OK, the Scottish government, right? [1:21:59] No. [1:22:00] Who? [1:22:01] The British government. [1:22:02] The British government. [1:22:03] Were there any issues discussed about MESI? [1:22:07] That you have a company from your country that is taking care of these activities in our country. [1:22:16] And this is what has happened. [1:22:18] Did you reach out to them in this manner? [1:22:20] sir discussion is classified sir can you speak to this body fully because we are the people [1:22:30] representative this is another branch of government we are senators we need to get [1:22:36] every information from you how do we answer questions outside there well well senator [1:22:45] you're the people's representative but in this case you're talking to me from all of the people [1:22:49] what's your suggestion i don't have any suggestion it's just classified at this point in time [1:22:54] even us it's classified information from us yes sir [1:23:04] well uh senator as much as i can say sir that will not compromise the integrity of the [1:23:09] relationship being built between the nca and the labor national police sir [1:23:24] back in the uk nationality what is his nationality but who the person in the uk [1:23:32] is believed to be a brick uh based on what we've established with the address and uh [1:23:41] other open source information that we have but these are the kind of things that that [1:23:45] we're waiting for for positive response from uh uh the uh our international partners for for support [1:23:53] them but we we've been able to gather a lot on him as a real person look there's no way you're [1:23:58] concerned something to do to someone in the uk that will not have a government issue id in ali [1:24:06] that even if they go pick it up it has to be a real person with a real id so we're just asking [1:24:11] them at this point in time to see how they can identify his whereabouts so we can see how to get [1:24:15] it after that have you checked at mr king resident whether you have more goods to send to the uk [1:24:22] uh to make sure that uh we didn't find anything uh concerns to the investigation sir can we link [1:24:42] the whole the the person 19 million case with previous uh drugs that have found that came to [1:24:49] the country at the 50 million or 100 million can we say these are the same source of where they came from [1:24:54] i cannot i cannot say that at this point in time but that's what we're investigating one of the [1:25:02] some of the shipments do you have any information previous information on where the 50 or the 100 [1:25:09] million draws came from uh senator by then i was running a non-governmental organization i have [1:25:15] absolutely no idea you have the note note it wasn't in the note when i got it have you asked questions [1:25:26] with this investigation that's part of what we're exploring as to where that came from [1:25:31] and uh we can't rely on just what we saw there because the way we're through water court we have [1:25:36] to be able to verify all of these sources as they say what the claims are before i can sit [1:25:41] and put my neck on the line and say it came from john brown country thank you thank you madam [1:25:58] thanks to the joint security members who are here taking their precious time to come and answer [1:26:12] people's representative um i just like to start by asking whether anyone here was part of the 100 [1:26:23] billion dollars drug investigation in the past or anybody was in the security sector when the boss was [1:26:42] anyone please yeah even in the kitchen i just want to know whether someone like one of them was [1:26:48] so there's no one here that was close to that investigation because i'm trying to establish a [1:27:03] pattern because these people were taken to and i will ask the justice ministry from your text review [1:27:13] what happened to that case the 100 million dollar well um and the 100 million dollars case was before [1:27:27] the court i was in adoption so um what i heard was that was insufficient were they found guilty or the [1:27:43] case was dismissed for lack of sufficient evidence they were they were not found guilty no but the case was [1:27:50] dismissed on that case the reason i'm asking mr ig is i want to know whether the longevity of this [1:27:57] investigation has anything to precedence a lack of evidence can ultimately another problem thank you [1:28:09] everyone for such brilliant questions instead of history to avoid mistakes of the past there were a [1:28:19] lot of lapses missteps be it intentional or unintentional based on capacity that we have seen [1:28:31] a cause that is to have not been persecuted on everything we've seen there was there were intentional [1:28:38] mistakes so we are working at this point in time looking at all of the mistakes because if you [1:28:45] train in a certain area there are certain things that you just as a tree investigator they're saying [1:28:51] things that you just are supposed to miss in preparing or here's the same report you've got to be able [1:28:56] to make sure that what you're saying so far as judicial scrutiny so mr agi having said that i i really like [1:29:03] that because we don't want a case a repeat of this case um such that everything should be crossed and [1:29:14] every eye dotted in so far as i'm saying that how long will it take for us to close the investigation [1:29:21] finally i was saying that we're looking we're looking at uh within the next few days hopefully [1:29:29] between now to the end of the week we should have uh people charge the father to quote yeah because [1:29:35] mr agi that should be done because what you haven't gotten for the last three and a half weeks or four [1:29:40] weeks i don't think you can get it because that's exactly the conclusion that we've come to to be able [1:29:47] to move forward this and definitely within the next few days it will be before the the allowance you also [1:29:53] have is that there are possibility why the case is ongoing there could be additional people or [1:30:00] institution charge and drop forward right exactly so that is an allowance for you so we have to do [1:30:05] that because we also retire and answer the question now they're all looking at it there's a whole national [1:30:10] you know silly kid about this case and it's just bad for PR and the dea do you have equipment that [1:30:20] screen luggage at the airport for dropping today is zero why uh we met a deficit and in this budget year we [1:30:32] have resource and we have a funding commitment did you what is the budget of the dea this year we have [1:30:40] 7.5 million and how much you you got in operation or equipment uh for operational for for operations [1:30:53] for the procurement activity for example money equipment we have uh i can't see the figure all right [1:31:01] that we uh uh this is shocking to me that we actually fighting the war on drugs with bare hands [1:31:33] and you're relying on mad suspicion oh did the man here you know that you got something here come [1:31:38] here what's that yeah does he even have an office in the airport why why who who's stopping the dea [1:31:45] for having an office in the airport how much do you have in the current budget for equipment and what is [1:32:14] stopping you from buying the equipment i'm coming this budget that we approved for this year that i've [1:32:30] gone six more now you have money in the budget for equipment that you don't have yet but the procurement [1:32:37] process is from going what is the procurement process so the most of the equipment is not in [1:32:43] country so that you can oversee procurement then it cannot the full bodies cannot the biggest it may [1:32:49] six months since the budget will pass and don't tell me that the ppcc you really you do it that you [1:32:56] could write for no objection and those are the reasons why there's allowance in the ppcc law for these kind of [1:33:02] things because i highly you know uh needed equipment for fighting drugs that's why we put no objection [1:33:11] in the law it should be like since February you get it you put somebody on the plate you you ask for no [1:33:18] objection for somebody go and get the thing and put it on the plate and bring it so i don't know so [1:33:24] explain that process to me because this is the larger problem we're dealing with here if we deal with [1:33:31] a hundred million dollar 19 million dollar drug issue people get charged go to court i know your [1:33:36] job is done but what happens there are more than we don't know if we don't have the equipment to find [1:33:43] it so i want you to tell this senate what is holding the procurement process don't tell me they are [1:33:48] far away plane flying in europe and america every day if they're where you want to get it from and i know [1:33:54] they're sitting somewhere or they can be manufactured within a month what is the status of the procurement [1:34:00] process and the equipment you're getting you have the equipment for the airport included yeah we are [1:34:08] getting we are getting baggage scan of pool bullet scan of what is the status so the uh the current [1:34:16] status is we are we are about starting contract with the vendor so the current status [1:34:27] mr mr i want to the current security here every one of you doing your best sleep at night to make sure [1:34:34] that we are safe and part of what is polluting our country is the drug i want the joint security [1:34:39] to take this matter seriously just as you people elevated this whole case to the joint security [1:34:45] level you people should raise this equipment level at that level because it is serious if we don't have [1:34:53] scanner on the airport then what are we doing what are we fighting do you have sleepy dogs do you have [1:34:58] three dogs to sleep drop why why why why why not so if this morning was disgusting [1:35:11] look what i have to ask is that i've been to the airport he could have them in in in a room you know [1:35:19] where before the bed get on the plane and he's doing that job there so i can't get conclude that we don't [1:35:24] have some and if we don't why don't we have them don't don't have [1:35:30] three dogs canine units these are these are these are equipment and and help that really really [1:35:56] fighting drugs in the western world you you everyone have trouble if you're on the line you got [1:36:03] these little dogs that would get past and they are trying to do this job so we should also look [1:36:10] at that uh justice ministry uh why was marco brown signed for this please protect [1:36:28] why was marco brown signed for by a lawyer from the court it was actually signed for from the police [1:36:36] and the court the prosecutor is telling us that no the case they didn't reach the [1:36:52] police the minister is uh i think instead of the agent but she's not versed with pastor this case is [1:37:01] about she didn't mean for words she's very clear so there are two cases the case of marva brown [1:37:07] and he assembled from the court was it was a case about a year plus ago it was a different case he was [1:37:12] father to court and then from the court that he was released [1:37:16] i'm thinking about in the house i thought it was in my minister i'm talking about the previous case [1:37:22] and i don't want this whole thing i don't know about it [1:37:27] marco brown by now should be heavily profiled by the ministry of justice by now [1:37:31] i'm sorry senator what i heard because marco brown is involved in two cases the first case when he was [1:37:38] when he was when he was signed for from the court yes i think it is somewhere yeah so i just need to [1:37:44] know why was he signed for by the lawyer from the court can we come up can we that that is a decision [1:37:58] that was made by the court and the court has the authority to do anything that's instant and then [1:38:05] let me ask you madam are you aware that justice ministry as a prosecutor arm of government can [1:38:14] charge the judge and persecute them do you know that i'm just asking you are you aware that you [1:38:27] are capable to charge a judge and persecute them another judge can be taken upstairs to the supreme [1:38:34] court that's not my question are you aware can you persecute a judge if the if the judge is involved [1:38:42] criminally yes okay so why was marco brown released by a judge and the persecution arm of government [1:38:49] has not yet made any move the reason i'm saying that you people making the law enforcement job harder [1:38:55] they recycle criminals in our jurisprudence there's too many so i need to know they say marco brown came [1:39:04] back now when maybe the other girl was small he came back now with 19 million who knows next now he's [1:39:10] alive so we need to know for the ministry of justice because once the police charge someone [1:39:16] ascended to the court you take over you are the prosecutor you're supposed to be liaising with [1:39:21] the court and what i see here that's happening between the justice ministry and the court the court [1:39:25] does anything they want in this country without the prosecutor filing off on anything explain that to me [1:39:33] please because uh honorable senator when a person is charged criminally the person goes before the [1:39:41] court the court makes a determination whether the person is guilty or the person all ministry of [1:39:48] justice can do is to provide the pieces of evidence to tell the court this is what we have [1:39:53] we think is sufficient enough for you to convict this person and if the court whether it's bench [1:40:00] trial or jury trial says that we don't think you have sufficient to convict this person that [1:40:06] that was not the case with marco brown don't let your man about that i know the process i know the [1:40:12] process so please don't let your man about that tell me why was marco brown released and if so i want [1:40:17] the senate to be on record for the senate to consider madame pro tem that we do an extra hearing about [1:40:25] you know the prosecutorial role of the ministry of justice and the recycle criminals that we have [1:40:30] you know you know yeah because it's very very serious and what really happened to marco brown and [1:40:35] who released marco brown there should be an inquiry to know exactly how marco brown was released [1:40:44] because drugs drugs can really fight back we know how to fight back to the money and we're not sitting [1:40:51] here and pretend about it that marco brown was here once every car or you walk out of jail no somebody [1:40:56] released it based on something [1:41:02] there is not um sufficient or there's not much that i can say concerning marco brown but as it has come [1:41:11] up that is something that we're going to consider that we're going to consider as the ministry and [1:41:15] bring the information forward [1:41:25] but again i'll let you repeat my point that there should be an inquiry about how marco brown got out [1:41:29] of jail who was the judge who was the prosecutor so they can get to the bottom of it because this is the [1:41:34] same guy who got us here today in fact so so that point is accepted and we'll ask the judicial [1:41:40] committee to start our investigation the judicial committee please take note uh to start that [1:41:49] investigation will also ask the joint committee on waste means and finance and um security and defense [1:41:59] to work with the dea bus to push the issue of the equipment so we can make sure because [1:42:06] as much as we are here to hold the joint security accountable we're also here to find some solutions [1:42:12] to make sure that the uh as well the equipment is treated as an emergency so we have it in the [1:42:18] country as soon as possible thank you madam mr ig when i was in the grade school no when i was [1:42:46] when i was i think i was in the late 80s there was a state government official traveled to the united [1:43:11] states with and it is believed he unknowingly which is understandable traveling between them [1:43:38] it is believed that he unknowingly conveyed the parcel security helped him respond negligence [1:44:03] in this country to a large extent believe in simple words that people at the highest level of [1:45:05] government position easily move to the country because it's inconceivable that somebody whose [1:45:21] business is dealing in drugs in europe or in asia or in south america will send a drug to liberia [1:45:37] without getting assurances from people in high places it's inconceivable i mean if you were involved [1:45:48] in it you would not send your 20 million dollar worth of business to liberia depending on one [1:45:56] ordinary mayor at the airport it's inconceivable no no no no no no nobody would do that nobody would do [1:46:08] that because it means that you don't you're not involved in the business you're just going to [1:46:14] you will not take that kind of race it's inconceivable that people would do that [1:46:17] so the perception which is well funded is that people in high places given the magnitude of their [1:46:28] land involved must be compacted to provide safe passage do any of you before us disagree with this [1:46:44] logic any of you this logic do any of you disagree huh so in other words you and the people in the [1:47:01] country think the same way yeah definitely when i when i when i read the opening remark i did mention [1:47:13] state and non-state actors okay so definitely we look your logic is 100 correct okay and that is why [1:47:21] this investigation has to be thorough to be able to get to to whatever the chip falls i think so so [1:47:30] so firstly let me say to you by that logic the country expects big heads to rule and not just [1:47:39] the ordinary people in the street do we agree so you have huge responsibility and public confidence [1:47:50] is important important that you are meticulous in your accusation of pieces of evidence you also do [1:48:04] not want to erode public trust and that's the reason why the lawmakers to give you [1:48:13] the room legislated the law that provides that you should proceed with charging suspects let the [1:48:29] court want to do that then you confidence because you are operating from the backdrop of a mindset already [1:48:46] you have a mindset so you have an individual whether he's an agent or he's the principal who decides to [1:48:57] to take whatever was conveyed to him to his house completely separate from his business place if that [1:49:10] is not a probable cause then what else is a probable cause if that is not a probable cause i mean if they were [1:49:28] at the office at the office he has minimally some responsibility minimum case or this facility he [1:50:01] severely suggests he knew what was in it and no it's a trial reason why i mentioned the story of the [1:50:13] lawmaker who was arrested and prosecuted you have of course we cannot tell you the id or ministry of [1:50:25] justice go to charge that's not within our responsibility to do but from the questioning [1:50:35] the public will see through your action and develop a perception and that is not good for you because [1:50:46] when the perception is that you are shitting people nothing you say matters anymore nothing anymore [1:50:58] then the country is inching towards chaos so for the sanctity of the country you have a responsibility [1:51:08] to charge the individuals let them get the lawyers and let the lawyers go and free them when you leave [1:51:20] like nyans said operator outside term of reference we have a responsibility as a legislature [1:51:32] so i think i would think giving what we are against as much as you decide to be meticulous negligence [1:51:50] whether you know negligence or it was intentional to have just taken those things to his house [1:51:57] irrespective of who took it then it's basis for charging in my opinion and i mean even if you if you decide to do [1:52:09] further investigation i mean let me understand he will go there and prove that look he won't worry [1:52:15] against you personally but the contract comes first you have to do that and that would be my my intervention [1:52:28] on the issue of target you need to charge those people you have the basis to do that let them go and [1:52:38] send them with themselves because you gotta instill public trust the belief is that the time you are [1:52:44] taking to do meticulous work is being designed actively shield other people i don't believe that's the case [1:52:55] i don't believe that's the case but the way the perception is leading and when you get the perception [1:53:02] to arrive there anything you say doesn't make sense again so i don't want you to do that on the issue of the [1:53:10] the dea we understand the challenges and when i hear my colleagues talk about uh we need you need [1:53:23] uh all of the sophisticated equipment at the airport the people will just laugh at us because you have [1:53:32] several bullet points around the country say okay since they they have told us this is where they're going [1:53:37] to put all the cameras and all the dogs someone posted certain times shouldn't be there we're using dogs [1:53:43] but but but the thing is we're not just talking about rria the thing is we are not just talking [1:54:00] about rria we are talking about several bullet points so we always equip you my concern is that the [1:54:14] same perception issue you know uh on this earth we are made to believe and we seem to accept that the [1:54:35] country most renowned for upholding human rights is america at least that one we are made to believe [1:54:44] or at least that one will believe the rights of the citizens and the citizens of other people within [1:54:55] their border the laws are there they have decided they have to give the perception or make the people [1:55:05] to know that they are extremely serious about drugs to the extent just on the basis of suspicion [1:55:17] they fire at people on the water and kill them just on the basis of suspicion so they are not better [1:55:27] placed to tell us anything if we decide to go with full force we have to do that you have to give the [1:55:36] perception to ordinary people in the country not just by your car moving back and forth that you are [1:55:44] serious and thus far we haven't got that impression about you if you arrest and you decide you know what [1:56:00] are happening in line with the lord this is what i'm going to do with the car let them go to court [1:56:05] that might be a place to say oh maybe the driver didn't know what that does is that it it conscientises [1:56:14] every driver or car owner to be more mindful because you can be everywhere so it's that lesson that you would send [1:56:23] just driving or driving around and that is not to suggest you're not doing your work but this country [1:56:30] hasn't got that sense yet because we want to see people who have vehicles convey these things [1:56:41] crying then we say you are working if the car is just packed and then the next day so you sell the [1:56:51] car you take the car you sell the car i think you can rest the car and sell it then go to court and say [1:56:56] they go they will sue the government to to to to to replenish the car the money for the car they [1:57:02] don't do that once you do it four five six seven cars then you you see it if you are concerned about [1:57:14] the rights of the driver the rights of the car the rights of everybody here they got a right but they [1:57:19] got recourse under the law so you have in my opinion you have to ask the americans the americans you know [1:57:29] i'm i'm i'm i'm i'm i'm from i i was never part of the npf well from the npb background yeah i'm from [1:57:39] the npb background no that is the difference the npbs are the political people i was never part of [1:57:47] every ever but in liberia after charles took over we have more country than ever before in our history [1:57:58] the way they move on and robbers a long speech teacher and robbers we have more country in our country's [1:58:12] history when he took over and he said the same thing they're doing with or firing people on the [1:58:19] ocean arresting presidents he said we were at their protocol so you have people will overwhelm us because [1:58:37] they are very powerful people you have to you and your people we ain't got a sense that all the pick [1:58:48] off that that nothing we want to see you let the whole country realize and know it's risky for you to [1:58:55] anybody you put in your car you gotta know what you're doing putting your car anybody breaking [1:59:01] goose you gotta know what you're doing nobody gonna arrest my car here and set it as long you arrest the [1:59:07] car it's proving you said it two three times no power so my opinion is the country has a perception [1:59:16] and you please have to change that perception or else this fight is lost i'll stop here thank you sir [1:59:28] the uh the analogy you you you gave here has been even used in our investigation as well and with [1:59:46] specific reference to your captivity on this particular issue so you are only money 100 i know [1:59:54] there's been uh concern about the rape law and that probable cause you to arrest when we investigate a [2:00:01] rape issue the first instance of probable cause we make arrest immediately in a transnational [2:00:08] criminal investigation arrest is not the first thing that we do unless there's operational imperative [2:00:16] and what what does that mean it means that if they if they if there are actions that could materially [2:00:23] damage the investigation or threat to public safety then we come in an arrest immediately or [2:00:28] temple with a successful prosecution in this case waiting i mean apart from the public sentiment [2:00:35] everything in order to have a proper and successful prosecution this particular time in inter-border [2:00:42] as well i would say for now to over the week you are definitely here for us we are just trying to [2:00:47] make sure we do what is right it's not arrest in the first instance and i would encourage like the [2:00:52] someone in the first instance you're entrusted us you're as a my partner here and approve us confirm [2:00:58] us because you believe in our ability we're not letting you down what we're doing we're following [2:01:03] it based on the dictates if you go and check transnational criminal investigation especially with [2:01:08] narcotic it will tell you that so i beg you all we're looking at the next few days definitely there [2:01:14] will be a resume but i beg you just go that so you're asking for less than one week yeah less than a [2:01:19] week less than one week yes okay less than a week well i'm just representing and representing [2:01:30] he's speaking for internal security that and no objection to that so um that means that before before [2:01:38] uh they said next week before before next week friday is uh uh uh uh uh before next week all right so [2:01:57] before next week should be before before yeah all right last year last year from will that be [2:02:06] definite my brother before the weekend there will be before charge a place before week before the [2:02:14] weekend thank you thank you thank you mr aggie you have said all in the video voltages are not people who [2:03:18] are capable of controlling 19 million what does that mean what does that mean are there not different [2:03:29] stages in these cartel functions and personalities what if that man's job is going to transport from [2:03:34] here to here so you investigate and say they make you look like you get 15 million so you're not there [2:03:39] is that it i said i said exactly what i said and i mean exactly as i said it we are not excusing anybody [2:03:51] we're saying everybody will be arrested based on the rule that they play but i'm saying beyond [2:03:55] those people are key actors who are responsible for it so would not be distracted to just look at [2:04:02] only those people they test it down they handle and then leave the main actors behind the senator just [2:04:09] said it state actors non-state actors everybody this is a distraction all of this noise back and forth [2:04:15] is a distraction to make sure that this investigation leaves all the key people that's what this noise [2:04:20] is about it will not leave out anybody all those who are attached to it they take the forward [2:04:25] immediately thank you sir aggie i'm quoting you you said these people don't look like they have a capacity [2:04:32] to own 19 million and i mean exactly what i said it's not the way to investigate these things because [2:04:39] these small fishes can leave the big ones but now you're saying that people are the small fish [2:04:47] immediately and they will tell you nobody but that's what we want the small fish they tell [2:04:52] what a big fish is but let's wait that basically you say to me they have to get the small fish to get [2:04:56] the small fish grab them and i'll tell you what you said you spoke of capacity let me ask you how did you [2:05:06] pointify the drugs to be 19 million what method did you use so uh we have we have partners with unodc [2:05:16] we do the wing and they use the street value based on what where it was designated for so we are told [2:05:27] in the streets that it's up to 50 million you tell us it's 19 million now in the absence of this periodic [2:05:38] update that we spoke about earlier you leave room for speculation and that in itself is dangerous [2:05:45] to our survivability you also said you got intelligence about the drugs we are told that [2:05:59] the entity at the airport gls arrested those drugs because of tonnage disparity that's what we were [2:06:11] told so what did why where did your your your intelligence lead to how they surpassed what [2:06:22] the first thing uh i think we're called here because we should have more facts than people in the [2:06:28] street so what you're told in the street is unsubstantiated information what i'm saying here [2:06:34] to you is the fact that can be verified gls did not arrest the drug at the airport gls did not arrest the [2:06:41] drug the drug was sitting there it was with security same ria security so let's look at the procedure [2:06:48] yet a cargo comes to the airport and it has weight discrepancy and for any reason that cargo cannot be [2:06:57] shipped because the weight discrepancy cannot be resolved before the loading time of the flight [2:07:03] that cargo remains there it is rebooked on the day that it is rebooked for the security take it back [2:07:10] and they reweight it so that cargo did not make the flight because the air the the the the the way [2:07:16] discrepancy didn't have it also it wasn't on the day that it should have shipped it was the security on [2:07:22] sunday it was booked for the next friday which is the standard mr aggie yeah thank you the letter [2:07:30] you are talking about that you say is from your custody i'm talking about no lady yes you spoke [2:07:33] about the lady you said she's in your custody about the airport no not now you spoke about it before [2:07:40] you said it before you said she comes in the morning and leaves in the evening [2:07:45] yeah okay before yeah all right and that's what i'm quoting that's all right when you're talking [2:07:49] and so that lady it was the lady who said that she put clear on the the the box yeah but there was a [2:08:00] way uh this parent said and that was the guy from um um no river says river says it was river says who [2:08:11] came from what we are told us here okay that the river says was instructed by a fellow who was in china [2:08:19] right who was in china and was expected on wednesday mr d a am i correct well that that when we said what [2:08:30] we said even though you're not putting us right it was in camera and i'm not going to i'm not going [2:08:35] to to speak about it here sir confidential uh mr chairman i beg you may you should tell me what not to [2:08:43] ask and what to ask and what to ask i'm serious these are the things that affect you said um yeah [2:08:50] super just go ahead don't argue with anybody outside of it so you have a question mr actually [2:08:57] here's a question yes sir if i'm supposed to travel outside the country and while trying to book a [2:09:05] flight you caught me with a password i have dropped inside what do you do to me i want you so why are you [2:09:12] not arresting these people who had it dropped and and and honorable senator i will repeat in a trans [2:09:19] national narcotic investigation arrest is not the first thing you do at the first instant unless there [2:09:27] is operational necessity arrest is not the first thing you do if you what what what is your objective [2:09:34] just to arrest those who have who got a finger on it at the moment if these people were at flight [2:09:39] rates to jeopardize the investigator yes we arrested all of them immediately but at least we got into a [2:09:43] place where we know that they are pressing and cooperating if if we rush and arrest all the [2:09:48] poor only god will be walking around free water will be ignoring jay yes they did play a part at a [2:09:52] different level or they won't be charged according to what they did but we're not just going to be [2:09:56] distracted and just pick up those who played back by the study just used to the boost up around [2:10:01] while we leave those who who who are major actors out i think that is what we're trying to get to [2:10:07] mr aggie yes sir the public confidence is very eroded we hear this every day on all of the social [2:10:15] media to the extent where the video that you have to accepting carers from the court for you to [2:10:22] to get that video it's all over the place how do these people get it too well i mean i wish i could [2:10:28] say and that's why i mean for uh these leaks and stuff there's a separate investigation on board [2:10:33] when i put them this issue this issue this issue is placing our country in the international community [2:10:54] list as being a transport transit point or a drug uh a producing country we need to do something [2:11:02] about it because we fought to get this image to where it is on that note i will rest [2:11:08] thank you thank you uh the sandwich colleagues i will be very brief because um most of the hard [2:11:45] questions i've been asked so the uh iji i see you taking on most of the questions why are you not proactive [2:12:00] in providing information to the public that you have always done [2:12:04] where we are as of the moment that we have not spoken is everything we know at this point in time [2:12:37] if we speak it it could jeopardize the investigation that's the only reason why we have not spoken [2:12:41] we want to have something conclusive to let it put them but he gave me a key point he said come on [2:12:46] even if you don't have anything left for doing the investigator it's still humble and stuff like [2:12:50] that so i think do note from that and like i said they will definitely hear from us [2:12:54] thank you thank you thank you with that said i mean like a lot of them have said i came a little late [2:13:05] so i didn't know that you have answered that but realistically like um all the other speakers have [2:13:12] said we have been bombarded by our consequence on this uh particular drugs matter so we are not going [2:13:21] to leave it the way things are happening here uh usually so as a matter of joining all of those that [2:13:30] ask questions we will be watching and i think we'll put in all the different efforts the protein has [2:13:36] already charged the committee the joint committee to look into all the different equipment procurement [2:13:43] issue and i think we'll be ready to to do that while we're pointing the case we have to be on the [2:13:49] other side to ensure that we have the kind of equipment that will protect fire and you know [2:13:54] occurrence so for them i just like to make a few boys thank you sir the word [2:14:24] you know i feel very happy today 20-30 years ago commit so the first problem i see here is [2:14:40] they're not independent by yourself now the first problem you have the police going to be there [2:14:52] now with the first suspicion test because captain will authorize there was a west africa project [2:15:03] so let me start with my first question [2:15:46] i'm proud to announce here to the senate that as of uh as of uh last week liberia's full rights and [2:16:05] privileges to the interpool was 100 percent restored including voting and access to the regional [2:16:11] bureau in abidjan after paying debt uh getting debt cancellation and paying some monies uh that were [2:16:18] all since the war yes the microphone server will still have access to the i247 dash which of course [2:16:51] uh yes we have been able to use that but in this case if you're asking interpool for help [2:16:57] take for example we got this usma ali uh who who is in the uk and uh the rahim bar you need to give [2:17:06] some information at least including a passport or something before you can activate to that interpool [2:17:11] level that's why we ask partners to be able to identify them once the senate we can get uh in the [2:17:16] interpool system okay this is a complex investigation a complex investigation it's not treated like [2:17:48] an ordinary investigation [2:18:32] in regular uh investigation yes sir sir this particular investigation is not just a dea investigation and [2:18:42] uh the reason why you even see me here speaking is because this matter was elevated to a national joint [2:18:50] security investigation uh led by the police and the dea historically here must be independent of the [2:19:11] police that's what the problem is the dea must be independent totally of the police they come in on [2:19:19] collaboration based on invitation they come they come in for backup if there's a gun shoot and all of that [2:19:27] you can call them for backup but the dea has to be able to do this job and be independent that was how [2:19:32] we perceive it in 1996 97 98 and 2000 we took the the the dropped people from the police from lsa from [2:19:44] from all the prison opponent of the da so that's the first thing we have to correct and it should it should [2:19:52] start it should start on this investigation because if the da is just there to say yes or no or i mean [2:20:00] if there's a question and give clarification we're going to repeat this mistake in the future or if [2:20:04] there's another mistake coming but let me go to my next question has there been any maybe if it is [2:20:13] i was not here earlier okay if there was um if there if this if the answer is asked somebody can [2:20:20] guess it would deal with that i will pass on has there been any independent forensic analysis of [2:20:26] computer on this case on this teacher yes sir and they're still ongoing no no no no why you see [2:20:35] that was in 19 million or have you done forensic analysis of that samples have been shared with [2:20:44] partners sir so you don't have forensic facility to do that right no sir no but excuse me i mean if [2:21:02] it's testing to know the substance yeah we got we got we got we got we got a test kit to use to [2:21:08] know what kind of substance it is but when you're talking about detailed forensic analysis that would [2:21:12] require like the composition to know where this drug was made uh which country it came from uh what the [2:21:18] marking on the back you know which which cartel they could be associated with those are things that [2:21:24] uh adequate thing that require further analysis but for analyzing to know what it is it is confirmed [2:21:31] that it's cooking uh with respect to you sir you have you have a connection you have partners [2:21:39] international partners international countries if you have some publication have you requested of [2:21:47] uh countries that will help you fast strike this progressive analysis for prosecution purpose [2:21:54] yes sir now if you come in contact with it i mean you have streamlined but uh was there intelligence [2:22:07] that led to this or was just based on routine inspection [2:22:10] so long time did you come across intelligence before moving on this [2:22:21] uh we have ptl also working but this one was routine inspection [2:23:21] i will go back because i asked this question earlier but they completed what international criminal networks [2:23:29] may be connected like i mentioned earlier until there's detailed forensic analysis to know the chemical [2:23:44] composition because like if we if the dea uh uh u.n dea to do the analysis they can tell you which [2:23:51] lab which country that particular stuff comes from you don't just want to assume yeah [2:24:04] yes sir yes sir you want to put them on it yes sir because one reason why the the the the [2:24:14] the cocaine uh i think it was to talk about one million million or one of the administration that [2:24:20] was because the first captain of the ship from which the cocaine were were were intercepted [2:24:27] you are not allowed to testify in court that's single reason the case of dispense unremanded yes [2:24:37] so [2:24:45] have you have you contemplated [2:24:47] have you contemplated on any agenda to do access uh uh [2:24:51] uh do you see anything in that direction [2:24:56] you're going to have to resolve this at this point in time uh uh no senators [2:25:01] okay before i close before before before i close let me make it clear that [2:25:14] the budget is not a matter of issue because under the pbcc law the security [2:25:21] are exempted from the regular profession and then you can ask for socials okay you can ask for socials [2:25:30] the the pbcc cannot delay you for that you don't need to give me any intervention that's right that [2:25:36] this is the security equipment for one exemption you want to do socials they will give it to you [2:25:42] so having had a long day let me allow the process for term nine [2:25:54] uh [2:26:19] we have a presentation after this hearing from [2:26:22] uh [2:26:43] believe that the national security i believe that they can help us to go to the bottom of this matter [2:26:55] uh [2:27:01] however i researched to know that uh bureau shaku and the nigerian fellow or broker called chibu [2:27:14] yume they were associated with the 100 more than 100 million or 2010 uh cooking boss in liberia [2:27:24] and they were taken to american custody the usa uh also told that one of the individual associated [2:27:36] with that operations playing was seized a value of 35 million