Africa-Press – Liberia. The Board of Directors of the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA) has recommended the suspension of its Deputy Director General for Operations, Alpha K. Gongolee, citing alleged links to a cocoa smuggling operation that has intensified scrutiny on the country’s agricultural regulatory system and raised serious concerns about accountability within the institution.
The recommendation, which has been forwarded to President Joseph Boakai for action, follows a resolution reached by members of the Board in line with the statutory provisions governing LACRA.
According to the Act establishing the authority, contingent on the resolution of two thirds of the Board membership, the Board shall advise the President to suspend or remove the Director General for failure to perform duties or for verified misconduct under Liberian law.
The same provision empowers the Board to suspend or remove a Deputy Director General under similar circumstances, including persistent inability to perform assigned responsibilities or conduct that violates the institution’s mandate as outlined in Sections 12 and 13.
By invoking these provisions, the Board has signalled that the allegations against Gongolee meet the threshold for executive intervention.
The Board’s action was formalized in a letter dated April 23, 2026, signed by its Chairperson, Madam Josephine C. Francis. In the communication, Gongolee was informed of his immediate suspension over his alleged involvement in a cocoa smuggling scheme associated with Zeno Industry.
The letter further indicated that the matter has been referred to the Liberia National Police (LNP) for investigation, and instructed the suspended official to turn over all government property in his possession and cooperate with authorities as the probe continues.
This development marks the third time the Board has reportedly moved to suspend Gongolee over allegations tied to the illegal export of cocoa outside LACRA’s established regulatory channels.
Sources within the authority indicate that previous disciplinary actions taken against him were not fully enforced. In at least two earlier instances, Board decisions were reportedly delayed or halted following interventions from individuals believed to be close to the Executive Mansion.
These repeated interruptions have fuelled concerns about political interference in regulatory enforcement, with critics arguing that such actions undermine institutional independence and embolden unlawful practices within the cocoa sector.
Observers warn that the failure to uphold previous Board decisions may have contributed to the persistence of smuggling activities, which continue to deprive the Liberian government of significant revenue.
The situation has become increasingly tense amid reports that Gongolee is resisting the Board’s directive. Sources within LACRA claim that he has refused to comply with the suspension and intends to continue reporting to work despite the official notice.
Additionally, he is alleged to have threatened to use his connections within the Executive Mansion to influence decisions against members of the Board, including calls for the removal of the Board Chair.
These allegations have heightened fears of a deepening governance crisis within the authority, as the standoff threatens to disrupt operations and weaken already fragile institutional structures.
Efforts by FrontPage Africa to obtain Gongolee’s response were unsuccessful, as multiple phone calls placed to him went unanswered.
The events leading to the Board’s decision were triggered by a leaked internal memo authored by Acting Director General Dan T. Saryee Sr., which was obtained by FrontPage Africa.
The memo outlined serious irregularities surrounding a cocoa shipment carried out on February 7, 2026, by Zeno Industry. According to the document, the shipment bypassed key regulatory requirements, including the submission of an export application, the issuance of quality control certification, and proper financial documentation.
The memo raised alarm within LACRA and prompted the Board to initiate a detailed investigation into the matter. Sources familiar with the inquiry say the findings pointed to systemic lapses within the authority, including weak enforcement mechanisms and gaps in oversight that may have enabled unauthorized transactions to occur.
Further complicating the case are conflicting claims regarding the authorization of the disputed shipment. Prior to his suspension, Gongolee reportedly asserted that his signature had been forged on documents used by Zeno Industry, suggesting possible internal fraud.
However, during a Board hearing last week, the CEO of Zeno Industry, Antonio Zeno, reportedly rejected that claim, maintaining that Gongolee personally handled the transaction, issued the necessary documentation, and received payment.
The CEO insisted that all dealings were conducted through LACRA’s operational leadership and that no changes in procedures were communicated to his company.
This contradiction added another layer of complexity to the investigation, which left authorities to determine whether the case involved forgery, misrepresentation, or coordinated misconduct within the institution.
The focus now shifts to President Boakai, whose decision on the Board’s recommendation is expected to play a critical role in determining the future of LACRA. Analysts say the outcome will not only affect the leadership of the authority but also serve as a test of the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and reform within Liberia’s agricultural sector.
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