Defendants in the US$100 million cocaine case have been acquitted of all charges, including money laundering, illegal possession and importation of controlled drugs, and criminal conspiracy, by Criminal Court “C” at the Temple of Justice.
Among those set free by the court on May 18, 2023, were Malam Conte, Adulai Djibri Djalo, Makki Admeh Issam, Oliver A. Zayzay, and others.
Judge Blamo A. Dixon has also ordered the Liberian Government to return the US$200,000 confiscated during the crackdown.
The October 1, 2022 arrest, which was the largest illicit drug bust across West Africa, was made possible with the assistance of the United States security agency.
The verdict has divided Liberians, with many acknowledging that the country still has a long way to go in the fight against drugs and substance abuse, which continues to endanger the population. As a result, the legislature has been under pressure to ensure that the crime is non-bailable.
