LIBERIAN AUTHORITIES ORDERED THE EXPULSION OF

UNCLAS LAGOS 000006 DEA HQS FOR OGE, OSE, SOD SECSTATE FOR INL, AF/W ROME FOR DEA RD AND ARD BRUSSELS FOR ARD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR LI SUBJECT: LIBERIAN AUTHORITIES ORDERED THE EXPULSION OF NIGERIAN DRUG TRAFFICKER ¶1. On January 7, Liberian National Security Agency (NSA) Director Fombah Sirleaf contacted DEA Lagos and advised that they arrested Nigerian national Sunday Okoli, a major drug trafficker. Okoli was arrested with undetermined quantities of cocaine. According to Sirleaf, the NSA and National Security Advisor Boima Fahnbulleh, with the approval of President Sirleaf, ordered the expulsion of Okoli to Nigeria on "national security grounds". Sirleaf said four Liberian agents will escort Okoli to Nigeria on a Bellview flight on Friday, January 9. Sirleaf added, the Liberian Government wants to send a strong message to Nigerian traffickers that they are not welcomed. ¶2. By all accounts, Sunday Okoli aka: "Jerry Ogidigi, Godfather" controls cocaine street distribution cells in Monrovia metropolitan area. Okoli lives in Monrovia but travels frequently to Nigeria to get his drug supply. Okoli has numerous street distributors who sell cocaine in Monrovia at different locations, including nightclubs. Street gang refers to him as the "Godfather" of cocaine. Okoli had been arrested numerous times, but he always bribed his way out of jail. ¶3. DEA Lagos will coordinate with the Nigerian National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),for Okoli to be interviewed by drug agents upon arrival in Nigeria. ¶4. Comment: This will be the second time in two years the Liberian Government had expelled Nigerian drug traffickers to Nigeria. In September 2006, the Liberians arrested a Nigerian at the Roberts International Airport with a half of million dollar cash strapped on his body. The money was seized and the individual was expelled to Nigeria. Note: This cable was cleared with Embassy Monrovia. HUDSON