Police IG Coleman Loses It

By Kruah Thompson

MONROVIA, Liberia, July 31, 2026 – Inspector General of Police Gregory Coleman has alleged that the drug trafficking network behind Liberia’s recent US$317 million cocaine seizure has been financing some individuals operating in the media space in an effort to undermine the ongoing investigation.

Speaking Thursday at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing, Coleman said investigators had established that members of the alleged drug cartel were attempting to influence public opinion, distract investigators, and create division through financial support to certain media actors.

“They’ve been able to verify and establish that drug trafficking organizations have infused money into the media to change the narrative, distract the key players in the investigation, and just sow a serious seed of discord. That is not just hurting the investigation; it’s hurting this nation,” Coleman said.

Shortly after the Inspector General’s remarks, Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah clarified that Coleman was not referring to the Liberian media as a whole.

According to Piah, the allegations concern specific individuals operating platforms that resemble media outlets rather than the country’s mainstream media institutions.

“Some of them basically run platforms that look like media but are not media. So he was not suggesting that the Liberian media collectively is receiving money from the drug cartel. I just want to get that straight,” Piah said.

Coleman’s comments came amid reports circulating on social media alleging that he received US$2,000 from US$10,000 that investigators say was accepted by suspended Deputy Commissioner for Crime Services Col. Johnny Dean.

The Ministry of Justice has denied those allegations.

In a statement issued earlier, the ministry said an internal review found no evidence linking Coleman to any money allegedly intended to facilitate the release of suspects connected to the narcotics investigation.

According to the ministry, the funds were received and withheld by a police officer who failed to report the matter to his supervisors or to the Joint National Security Investigative Task Force overseeing the case.

The ministry said the officer has since been removed from the task force, relieved of his official duties, and is facing disciplinary action and possible criminal prosecution.

It also urged the public to refrain from circulating unverified allegations, emphasizing that the broader narcotics investigation remains active.

Despite the allegations against him, Coleman said he remains committed to carrying out President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s directive to ensure that everyone connected to the alleged drug trafficking network is held accountable.

While acknowledging that public confidence in the Liberia National Police has declined, Coleman said efforts are underway to restore trust in the institution.

“No matter the low confidence, the confidence of the appointing power remains to hold anybody linked to the drugs accountable. And this is what we are going to do,” he said.

Coleman also maintained that no individual implicated in the investigation would be shielded from prosecution as authorities continue pursuing additional leads in what they have described as one of Liberia’s largest narcotics investigations.