MONROVIA – Two corrections officers and a life-sentenced inmate at the Monrovia Central Prison have been arrested following a sweeping investigation into an internal drug trafficking and contraband network inside the facility.
The accused—Correction Officers John Flomo and Thomas Kiazolu, and Inmate Habib Conteh—are alleged to have orchestrated the import and sale of illegal drugs and contraband cigarettes within the prison, with mobile money transactions used to facilitate the illicit scheme.
According to a detailed report from the Special Investigation and Intelligence Unit (SIU), the bust followed a tip-off from the prison’s Superintendent, Roosevelt Varney, and uncovered a significant breach of security protocols, implicating both staff and inmates.
Contraband Discovery
The SIU launched its operation after receiving intelligence about unusual activity. On May 15, 2025, investigators discovered four grosses of Sir cigarettes and half a can of marijuana stashed in commode tanks inside two bathrooms at the facility—one of which had been assigned to the former Superintendent and the other in the visitors’ section.
Investigators found:
- Two grosses of cigarettes in the Superintendent’s former bathroom
- Two additional grosses and marijuana in the visitors’ bathroom
Authorities determined that Officer Patrick Kollie and Inmate Habib Conteh had access to the visitors’ bathroom, while access to the Superintendent’s bathroom remained restricted.
Monetary Trail
The investigation traced a series of mobile money transactions between Inmate Conteh and Officer Flomo. Conteh admitted to paying L$13,000—L$12,000 via mobile money and L$1,000 in cash—for the delivery of contraband items. He claimed that the payment was part of a larger L$21,000 deal.
Conteh further alleged that the Orange SIM card used in the transaction had been given to him nearly three years ago by Officer Thomas Kiazolu, raising red flags about unauthorized communication access inside the prison.
When questioned, Officer Flomo initially denied involvement and provided false information regarding his Orange number. However, after being confronted with verified mobile money records showing the transfer of L$12,000 from a SIM registered to Officer Kiazolu to Flomo’s own number, his story changed. He then claimed the money was for a cash-out transaction on behalf of the inmate’s wife—a claim Conteh strongly denied.
Admissions and Accountability
Inmate Conteh admitted his role in the smuggling operation and implicated both officers. Officer Kiazolu confirmed he had given Conteh his SIM card but denied knowing it was used for illicit transactions.
The SIU noted that Officer Flomo’s inability to provide the correct mobile money password during the investigation further heightened suspicions of intentional obstruction.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The investigation concluded that there was strong circumstantial and documentary evidence linking Officer Flomo to the trafficking of contraband in exchange for payments from Inmate Conteh.
It also found that Officer Kiazolu was guilty of violating prison regulations by allowing an inmate to possess a personal SIM card.
The SIU recommended:
- Immediate suspension of Officer John Flomo pending review by the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (BCR) Internal Disciplinary Board
- Internal disciplinary action against Officer Kiazolu
- A full review of key control protocols in sensitive areas such as bathrooms and storage units
- A security reassessment of inmates assigned to workshops or mobile teams
The findings have reignited concerns about corruption and the porous security conditions at Liberia’s correctional institutions, where internal collusion has often undermined prison reforms.
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