Monrovia City Court Magistrate, Ben Barco, has ruled a probable cause to prosecute defendant Paul King in the US$19.2 million cocaine case.
Magistrate Barco ruled that King will be tried on the charges pursuant to the Penal Law and the Drugs Law of 2023.
Barco said, the evidence demonstrates a coordinated scheme to traffic narcotics valued through the airport.
The law defines probable cause as facts, and circumstances sufficient to warrant a prudent person in believing that the suspect committed, or was committing an offense. It does not require proof beyond a reasonable doubt, but rather a reasonable ground of suspicion supported by evidence.
Prosecution first witness. Moses L. Meah, an investigator from the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA), testified that Paul King orchestrated shipment of six boxes falsely declared as “Maggie Cube and lappers,” but that the evidence showed the concealed 237.6 Kg of cocaine valued more than US19 million.
Meah said, Suspect King coordinated with others to prepare false airway bills, used fake companies and attempted to bribe airport officials.
On that testimony, Magistrate Barco revealed how Meah, statements, receipts, airway bill, and pictorial corroborated with his testimony.
Prosecution second witness, Joseph M. Kaiffa of the Liberia National Police, Anti- Narcotics Unit, confirmed King’s role in instructing airway bill preparation, and that the boxes originated from King’s residence.
Kaiffa narrated further that screening of the boxes revealed discrepancies in the declared vs. actual weight, leading to discovery of cocaine, and that King attempt to negotiate retrieval of the consignment after seizure.
The charge sheets and documentary evidence were introduced and marked.
Barco furthered that, despite defense objections, both witnesses consistently linked Paul King to the shipment, false documentation, attempted concealment, the seizure of the cocaine the airport, corroborated by airway bills, receipt, witness testimony, establishes a reasonable ground of suspicion.
Under law, the prosecution needs not to prove guilt at this stage; it must only show sufficient evidence to justify proceeding to the trial.
The two witnesses testified support by producing documentary and physical evidence, establishing probable cause that co-defendant Paul King and others conspired to possess and export-controlled substance in violation of section 14.83,14.84,14.93,10.3 and 10.4 of the Penal Law.
