MONROVIA – Liberia’s Inspector General of Police, Gregory O. W. Coleman, says more than 80 foreign nationals have been arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into an alleged criminal network operating in cyberspace, following coordinated search-and-seizure operations across parts of Greater Monrovia.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
Speaking at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing on October 8, Coleman said the Liberia National Police (LNP), working with other national security agencies, executed multiple search warrants on October 6 in Rehab, SKD, and the Baptist Seminary community. He said the operation followed surveillance activities in which investigators traced one location to another, leading to coordinated raids. The warrants, according to the police chief, were authorized by the Magisterial Court in Bensonville at the Monrovia Magisterial Station.
Coleman said more than 67 foreign nationals were initially arrested, with a significant number identified as Chinese nationals. He later disclosed that an additional 13 foreign nationals had been arrested in connection with a related case that emerged in Luapa. The additional suspects were taken to Central Police Headquarters for profiling, bringing the reported number of arrests to more than 80.
During the operations, authorities seized more than 200 mobile phones, over 50 computers, internet-related storage devices, and other electronic equipment. Coleman said many of the phones contained multiple applications and numerous WhatsApp accounts, making the examination of the digital evidence a complex process that could take considerable time.
The police chief also reported the recovery of precious minerals, more than US$2,000 in cash, and over L$1.3 million in currency described by authorities as counterfeit. He said investigators were examining the seized materials to establish the nature, extent, and possible connections of the alleged criminal activities.
According to Coleman, the investigation concerns suspected offenses including cybercrime, forgery, counterfeiting, and economic sabotage, among other related crimes. He said the authorities had contacted the Chinese government for assistance, particularly because many of the suspects were Chinese nationals and language barriers could complicate the investigation. He added that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had also been contacted and that commitments had been made to assist with the examination of evidence.
Coleman further disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Labor had been informed about the operation. He explained that the locations had been under surveillance and that the Ministry of Labor had conducted a routine inspection before law enforcement assistance was requested following resistance encountered during the process.
Reaffirming the police’s commitment to enforcing the law without fear, favor, or malice, Coleman said the LNP would not tolerate a culture of impunity, regardless of an individual’s social standing, political connections, or official position. He emphasized that Liberia’s laws must apply equally to everyone and warned that anyone found to have violated the law would face appropriate legal action.
However, the Inspector General cautioned against treating the arrests as proof of guilt, stressing that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
He urged the public to remain calm, describing the investigation as highly technical and noting that the police would require time and additional resources to analyze the large volume of digital evidence. Coleman said the National Security Agency (NSA) was providing support, while assistance from international partners would take time to materialize.
Coleman assured journalists that the police would continue providing updates as verified information becomes available, acknowledging that the complexity of the investigation could mean some findings would only emerge at later stages.
In a stern message to potential offenders, the police chief urged anyone contemplating criminal activity to “think twice” before breaking the law. He maintained that Liberia is a country governed by law, not individuals, and pledged that investigations would be pursued to establish the facts and support appropriate legal action.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities expected to determine the full scope of the alleged criminal network as they analyze the seized devices, verify the identities of those arrested, and establish whether the evidence supports formal charges.
