Published: July 6, 2026
Monrovia — Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung Sr. has denied any association with a person linked to Liberia’s US$19.2 million drug investigation, saying a photograph with an individual does not prove a relationship.
In a Facebook post early Monday, Koung rejected allegations made on Spoon TV Sunday night that he has been associating with a man identified only as “Anthony,” who is allegedly connected to the ongoing drug case, and that the two had appeared together in group photographs.
Koung said taking photographs with citizens is part of his official duties. “As Vice President, I do take photos with many individuals at public and private events. I do not know Anthony, and the photo taken does not suggest my knowledge of any personal dealings he may be involved with,” he wrote.
The response follows comments by FrontPageAfrica Publisher Rodney Sieh, who said on the Spoon Night Talkshow that the vice president had been seen with people linked to the “19 million drugs saga” and should publicly explain the relationship.
“We’re not saying anybody is involved in drugs. We’re not saying anyone is trying to traffic drugs,” Sieh said. “But when something like this happens in Liberia, and you’re the vice president, and photographs surface showing people associated with you, I think Liberians deserve to know how close you are to those individuals.”
Sieh added: “Nobody is accusing the vice president. We are simply saying he should explain these photographs to the Liberian people. It’s about the connections people are making.” He also referenced Michael U.S. Browne, a defendant in a separate 2024 drug case who resurfaced as a person of interest in the 2026 Roberts International Airport seizure, saying the vice president should address his relationship with Browne.
Koung maintained what he described as a zero tolerance stance on drugs. Citing remarks he made following the November 24, 2025 arrest of Clifford Payne in a suspected drug case, he said: “If my wife, children, relatives, friends, political associates, and employees, are connected to any drug related activities, they should face the full weight of the law.”
The Joint National Security Investigative Task Force, established after the June 8, 2026 seizure of 237.6 kilograms of cocaine at GLS-Menzies, Roberts International Airport, has not named anyone identified as “Anthony” as a person of interest or suspect. The Ministry of Justice has not commented on the claim.
Among those charged Saturday, July 4, are Paul J. King, operations manager of GLS; Michael U.S. Browne, also known as Rahim or Raheem Bah; Oscar J. Browne; Emmanuel Kpah; and Usman Ali.
Authorities have said Browne’s 2024 release from Kakata Central Prison was “solely pursuant to a court order” and is a matter separate from the 2026 case, despite documents showing coordinated involvement between the Ministry of Justice and the court in securing his release.
The investigation, one of Liberia’s largest drug cases, is being closely followed across the country, including by the Liberian Senate, which earlier launched a probe into delays in making arrests.
President Boakai, addressing the nation on the matter, said no one would be shielded in the case.
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