Published: October 6, 2025
RIA, Margibi — Police authorities have launched an investigation into an alleged case of firearm smuggling after a Liberian-American, identified as James Mulbah Bowah, was intercepted with a pistol at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) on Friday, October 3, 2025.
According to police reports, at about 8:40 p.m., Inspector Wesseh D. Jah, Chief of Operations for the Liberia National Police Zone One in Margibi County, received a call from the Airport Duty Officer informing him that Bowah, a resident of the United States of America and an Americo-Liberian, had arrived onboard Air Brussels with a firearm in his possession.
The weapon, a SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MA USA (.380 AUTO) with serial number NMR 4868, was reportedly declared to both the airline and RIA management before Bowah’s arrival. Upon landing, the passenger voluntarily declared the firearm to the Joint Security Team at RIA, which then handed the weapon over to the police for verification.
Police sources said the Chief of Small Arms, Liberia National Police (LNP), later instructed that the suspect be released to a guarantor and report to the LNP Central Headquarters in Monrovia on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. for further questioning.
Both the firearm and Bowah’s passport are being held by the police as the investigation continues.
Authorities have not yet determined whether the firearm’s entry into Liberia violated any national security or licensing regulations, but the LNP has assured the public that due process will be followed as the probe unfolds.
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