MONROVIA, Liberia— The family of detained former Liberia National Police officer Wadell Kwarbo has rejected claims that he implicated Police Inspector General Gregory O. W. Coleman in the movement of a cocaine shipment at the centre of Liberia’s US$317 million drug trafficking case.
The denial follows allegations made publicly by Spoon Network CEO Stanton Witherspoon, who said a source had informed him that Kwarbo linked the Inspector General to the alleged movement of the cocaine.
Witherspoon claimed that Kwarbo told a source that Coleman had instructed him to escort a van carrying the cocaine. He further alleged that Kwarbo had said his telephone call records should be subpoenaed by the court to substantiate the claim that the police chief had given him the order.
In a statement issued on Thursday, September 24, 2026, however, Kwarbo’s family categorically rejected the account, saying neither Kwarbo nor his legal team had authorised any statement alleging that Coleman directed him to participate in, facilitate or provide police escort for an illegal drug operation. The family said Kwarbo himself had “firmly rejected and denied” the allegation and maintained that he had made no such statement.
The family said it was concerned about reports circulating in the media and on social media that attributed the allegation to Kwarbo.The family urged journalists, commentators and members of the public to verify information before publishing or repeating claims attributed to the detained officer, particularly while his case remains before the court.
According to the family, Kwarbo has consistently maintained his innocence and has been advised by his lawyers to refrain from publicly discussing his arrest and continued detention. His family argues that the question of his guilt or innocence should be determined through evidence presented in court rather than through media reports, public statements or social media commentary.
The family also described the allegations surrounding Kwarbo's arrest and continued detention as false and misleading, calling them a “hasty error of judgment” that failed to take sufficient account of the relevant facts and his years of service to the Liberia National Police.
Kwarbo is being detained in connection with the investigation into the 317 million cocaine shipment, a case that has drawn significant public attention and raised questions about the alleged involvement of law-enforcement personnel.
The family’s latest statement does not address the evidence prosecutors may present against Kwarbo. Instead, it focuses on what it says is a false statement being attributed to him concerning Inspector General Coleman.
Kwarbo remains entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence unless and until a competent court determines otherwise.