Paynesville, Liberia – Authorities in Liberia on Wednesday sealed off the Private Bar Entertainment Center in Paynesville after its owner, George Leroy Harris, was named a suspect in a US$317 million cocaine trafficking case.
The move follows the July 21 seizure of 3,971 kilograms (8,754 lbs.) of cocaine near Roberts International Airport in Duazon, one of the largest drug busts in the country’s history. Investigators allege Harris attempted to influence officials in the aftermath of the seizure, offering money to secure the release of the shipment.
Journalists arriving at the bar found heavily armed officers blocking access while investigators searched the premises. Employees were questioned and documents examined, though officials did not disclose their relevance. Security personnel ordered reporters to remain at a distance, raising concerns about transparency in the high-profile case.
The closure came less than 24 hours after Harris was publicly linked to the investigation. Authorities have not confirmed whether he has been arrested, leaving uncertainty over his legal status. No details were provided on whether a court-issued warrant authorized the search.
Harris, a prominent businessman, now faces charges including drug trafficking, money laundering, economic sabotage, unlicensed importation and possession of illicit drugs, criminal conspiracy, facilitation, and solicitation. Prosecutors suggest his alleged role extended beyond business ownership, portraying him as a facilitator of financial transactions and contacts central to the trafficking operation.
Residents express concern
The Private Bar, known for nightlife and gaming, remained under guard after the operation. Its closure has fueled speculation among residents, with some questioning why authorities delayed action against Harris’s business after naming him a suspect. Others argue the limited information provided risks undermining public confidence in Liberia’s anti-narcotics campaign.
Authorities have yet to explain how the entertainment center itself may have been connected to the international trafficking network.
