Monrovia—Seven Chinese nationals who are associates of Chinese miner, Gao Feng popularly known as “Barry” are currently on the run, following an arrest warrant issued by the 16th Judicial Circuit Court, Gbarpolu County.
By Willie N. Tokpah/0777039231
The Assigned Judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarpolu County, Wesseh Alphonsus Wesseh, on Thursday, July 18, issued a directive to Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman to arrest the living bodies of the accused.
The accused, according to the court, have been on the run since they were implicated in serious economic crimes.
Judge Wesseh has ordered that if those on the run are arrested, the Liberia National Police should have them detained under their custody, until the next working day, when they shall be forwarded to the 16th Judicial Circuit, Gbarpol County, Bopolu City, to answer to the charges mentioned.
The accused have been charged by state security with the commission of the Crimes of Economic Sabotage, Tax Evasion, and Criminal Conspiracy, in Gbarpolu County.
“By directive of His Honor Wesseh Alphonsus Wesseh, Assigned Circuit Judge, 16th Judicial Circuit Court, Gbarpol County; and upon receipt of this. Open Arrest Order”, from the County Sheriff of the 16th Judicial Circuit Court, Gbarpol County, Republic of Liberia, or His Deputy, you are hereby ordered to arrest the living bodies of Gao Feng aka “Barry”, Zheng Vi, Muntaga Barry, Randy Scott, Li Yingjun, Mo Hailong, Zhuo Xianhe, Mrs. Zhang Chi, Li Yingsong, Qin Naizhen, Qin Guiyong, Li Jiadong, Shi Rongkang, Li Haode, Qin Yangun, LiVingli, Li Zhongjie,
Wei Mincai, Liu Lihua, Li Xiaoliang, Li
Yongming, Wei Dengmin, Huang Jinkang E Dejie, Zhou/Jialu, Lan Zubin, Shi Furong, Shi Ruquan, Randell Doe, Xia Shigang, Yan Yuhua,
Meng Haiming, Luo Moudi, Huang Liuyong, Wu Huanbai,
Money Man Jackson and others to be identified, Charged with the Commissions of the Crimes of Economic Sabotage, Tax Evasion, and Criminal Conspiracy, in the County of Gbarpolu, Republic of Liberia, and have been on the run and have detained under your custody until the next working day, when they shall be forwarded to the 16″ Judicial Circuit, Gbarpol County, Bopolu City, to answer to the charges mentioned supra,” Judge Wesseh ordered in his directive.
Recently, the Ministry of Mine and Energy Inspector General, Ignatius Coker, arrested Barry’s associates for reportedly defrauding the national government of over $29 million in Gbarpolu County.
This exposure was made over the weekend, when Inspector General Coker embarked on an investigative tour with a team of joint security forces in Manokorlleh District, Gbarpolu County, where Barry’s mining site is located, and raided the entire site as the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Gbarpolu County arrested seven (7) of his cohorts for illicit mining.
The investigation by the ninistry was triggered by a complaint filed by the NEO Global Mines and Minerals Incorporated against Mr. Feng with Xin Li Da Investment Development Limited, which was represented by Zheng Yi, Urban Urban and Rural Services Incorporated.
“Barry operates Liberia Xian Shi Development Company Limited represented by Li Yingjun, Xin Li Da Investment Development Limited, represented by Zheng Yi and Urban Urban and Rural Services Incorporated, and the Scott Investment Incorporation represented by his Liberian contact person, named Randy Scott,” Coker said.
He added that Barry started his illicit mining activities in March 2023 and he is encroaching on the NEO Global Mines and Minerals Incorporated’s exploration license area within Belle Yallah, Gbarpolu County without proper or legal documents.
The court issued a Writ of Arrest for “Barry” along with the seven associates, while over 50 of those involved in the acts along with him ran into the dark buses.
The Inspector General said “Barry” is proven to be “untouchable” by the Liberian government, asserting that the foreign national is being heavily protected by some top government officials whom he directly pays for his alleged acts to the detriment of the state.
“Barry”, who calls himself “The Real Minister” of Mines and his cohorts are conducting illicit mining activities with more than 100 excavators and 50 washing plants spread all over the country: Gbarpolu, Cape Mount, Montserrado, Grand Bassa, Magibi, Bong, Lofa, Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Sinoe and Maryland Counties for the past six (6) years,” he stressed.
According to him, the Chinese national has always told people that he is even at liberty to mine under the Executive Mansion without a license if minerals are found there.
The Inspector General of Mines and Energy emphasized that the reported acts of “Barry” and his associates amount to economic sabotage, tax evasion, and criminal conspiracy, especially with the defrauding the government of $29,878,536 for illicit mining, stressing that his office will ensure that there will be “No Business as Usual” as stated by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in the fight against corruption.
The Inspector General indicated that “Barry” has seven excavators and nine washing plants conducting illicit mining only in Gbarpolu County, adding that such equipment show that the Chinese national is unprecedentedly looting the country’s natural resources in other counties he operates.