Monrovia – Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation after 40 cartons of the banned opioid Tramadol were seized aboard a fuel truck belonging to KAILONND Petroleum, a company owned by lawyer and businessman Cllr. George B. Kailondo.
By Willie N. Tokpah, [email protected]
The truck, intercepted at the Tianii checkpoint in Grand Cape Mount County, has renewed scrutiny on how Liberia’s commercial and petroleum transport networks may be co-opted for drug trafficking.
The seizure follows intensified Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) operations targeting trafficking routes and major distributors. Investigators now want to know whether corporate vehicles—such as Kailondo’s fleet—are being systematically used to transport drugs, with or without company approval.
Kailondo’s Defense Raises Questions
Cllr. Kailondo has strongly distanced himself from the incident, insisting that his trucks were “supposed to be parked” and that he had dismissed all drivers two months ago.
“To the best of my knowledge, my trucks are parked. Cassie, a distributor, allowed someone to use the truck. I was not aware… They told me the truck was going to Bomi. It ended up in Grand Cape Mount. The driver lied. Cassie lied. But I didn’t know anything about Tramadol,” Kailondo told reporters.
He admitted, however, that his vehicles have often been used by third-party distributors, including “Cassie,” who is now in police custody. Critics argue this loose arrangement leaves the business vulnerable to exploitation by traffickers.
“How a fuel truck from a major company ends up carrying 40 cartons of Tramadol, undetected by the owner, is not just a mystery. It’s a liability,” said one LDEA official familiar with the case.
Drug Ring or Corporate Negligence?
According to investigators the truck was registered to KAILONND Petroleum, making the company legally responsible, the trip had no official company dispatch documentation and Kailondo acknowledged having no GPS or tracking system for his multi-county fleet.
Police sources say they are not ruling out deliberate complicity by insiders or a wider criminal network using petroleum logistics as cover.
Pattern of Oversight Lapses?
This is not the first time Kailondo’s vehicles have been linked to questionable activities. He himself recounted an earlier incident involving a Ghanaian employee caught in a police chase with one of his vehicles.
“I have too many cars. I can’t track all of them,” he said, describing difficulties in managing a large fleet.
Civil society groups argue such excuses are unacceptable given Liberia’s worsening drug crisis.
“If you run a petroleum business in 2025 and can’t account for the movement of your trucks, you’re part of the problem,” said one anti-narcotics advocate.
LDEA: “We Will Investigate Every Link”
The LDEA confirmed that the driver, only identified as Cassie, and another suspect are under arrest and interrogation. The agency is probing whether Kailondo knowingly allowed his trucks to be rented out without oversight.
“We don’t care who owns the truck. If it’s used to traffic drugs, we will investigate,” an LDEA spokesperson said.
National Crackdown on Tramadol and Shisha
This case comes as Liberia battles a nationwide drug epidemic. On August 22, 2025, Health Minister Dr. Louise M. Kpoto announced a moratorium banning the sale and distribution of Tramadol and Shisha.
Tramadol use is now restricted to licensed hospitals under medical supervision, while shisha (hookah) is banned in all public and private spaces, including homes.
“Liberia is in the grip of a dangerous drug epidemic,” Minister Kpoto warned.
“This moratorium is a decisive step to save lives, protect our youth, and safeguard national stability.”
Health officials note that Tramadol abuse has fueled addiction, violence, and crime, while Shisha smoking—widely glamorized in nightlife—poses severe risks of cancer, heart disease, and lifelong addiction.
What’s Next for Kailondo?
While Kailondo has not yet been named a suspect, legal experts say he could face civil or criminal liability if investigators prove negligence or “willful blindness.”
“Intent is not always required,” one former prosecutor explained.
“If he knowingly allowed trucks to operate without oversight or contracts, he could be liable—especially since this isn’t the first red flag.”
As the investigation continues, the case could determine not only Kailondo’s legal exposure but also the broader accountability of Liberia’s corporate transport sector in the fight against narcotics.
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