By: R. Joyclyn Wea

MONROVIA-The Government of Liberia has lost over five thousand, six hundred-seventy United States Dollars to jurors in the ongoing one hundred million (US $100 M) cocaine case at Criminal Court “C, at the Supreme Court of Liberia.

The above amount is the initial amount these jurors have earned as compensation in the last 63 days of the ongoing trial. The amount could double depending on the longevity of the trial.

Each of the jurors makes six dollars per day which means that the 15 jurors make three hundred, sixty-three (USD$378.00) each for the 63 days sitting.

This amount is in addition to feeding, medical and other accommodations to secure their stay at the jury facility on the ground of the Temple of Justice where they currently stay.

Both government and defense counsels are still producing rebuttal witnesses to speak to their certain knowledge on the matter at hand.

Aside from this amount, the Government of Liberia had already spent millions of dollars on getting an interpreter for the trial, in addition to paying witnesses to assist the government in its effort to prosecute those alleged cocaine traffickers.

As you may know, Liberian Authorities Acting on U.S. Security Intelligence on October 4, 2022, arrested two foreigners, and are searching for two more suspected of trying to smuggle $100 million of cocaine seized in the West African country, officials said Tuesday.

The estimated value of the drugs is one-fifth of most of Liberia’s post-war annual budgets since the country’s civil war ended in 2003.

The trail into the allege USD$100 cocaine case commence in December 2022, beginning with the selection of a  15 penal jurors which lasted for nearly three weeks.

New Republic Liberia

Alphonso Toweh

Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets  including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and  did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters 
 He holds first  MA with honors in International  Relations and a  candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict  Resolution from the University of Liberia.