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Beyond the biggest drug catch: Who owns SONIT Liberia Inc.?

By Emmanuel wise Jipoh 

A NEW DAWN’s investigation into last Saturday’s (October 1, 2022) Liberian security dragnet that busted drugs with street value at US$100m at SONIT Liberia Inc. compound in Topoe Village outside Monrovia after a tipoff from the United States Government, is drawing in chain of businesses under which the prime suspect SONIT Liberia operates. 

 The NEW DAWN gathers that AJA- Group Holdings, a conglomeration of ABI Jaoudi & Fresh Frozen Food Inc, also has in its chain SONIT Liberia Inc that owns the warehouse in Topoe Village.

SONIT Liberia Inc is a French frozen food company that has been inactive due to challenges, prompting management to have rented the facility to Fresh Frozen Food Liberia (FFF) Inc. – a sole proprietorship of ABI Jaoudi & Azar Trading Corporation, owners of ABI Jaoudi Supermarket on Randall Street in central  Monrovia that are all under the supervision of AJA-Group Holdings.

Sources confided in this paper that prior to the arrest of the huge consignment of drugs over the weekend, there has been series of alleged suspicious transactions at the very same venue in Topoe Village where SONIT Liberia Inc. has its frozen food warehouse.

Sources speak of clandestine activities there during night hours, with trucks carrying huge consignments entering and coming out of the SONIT Liberia Inc. compound daily.

Residents in the proximity of the compound, who asked for anonymity said there has been nothing like sales of frozen food in the fence, but the facility has been used as a warehouse.

But Mohammed Saleem, whose number was placed on the official website of Fresh Frozen Food Liberia Inc, denied having link with SONIT Liberia Inc.

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Efforts to reach the General Manager of Fresh Frozen Food (FFF) Mr. Bilal Ibrahim, was unsuccessful as his phone rang tirelessly.

Duanna Kamara, Interrelation Officer between ABI Jaoudi & Azar Trading Corporation, and the public said ABI Jaoudi Inc. has nothing to do with SONIT Liberia facility in Topoe Village and Fresh Frozen Food (FFF) Liberia that is said to have rented the facility from SONIT Liberia Incorporated for commercial purpose.

AJA Group Holdings is a flagship investment company, AJA Holding, owned by Al Nabhan family involves in the investment and development of Al Nabhan financial interests, named after AJA Mountain, spearheaded by the family.

AJA Holding plays a dual role in developing existing financial enterprises within the group and creating new investment opportunities.

With a portfolio of various leading enterprises, AJA Holding harnesses local capabilities and envisions a global expansion, a step that enhances its position as a diverse holding company.

It comprises Fresh Frozen Food Liberia, Fresh Frozen Food Conakry, Fresh Frozen Food DR Congo, ABI Jaoudi & Azar Trading Corporation, GBK Motors Inc, Africom, RIA Hotel & Resort, and IFT Strategic Purchasing.

Authorities of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) and the National Security Agency (NSA) over the weekend, stormed SONIT Liberia Inc. compound in Topoe Village, along the Japan Freeway, and seized huge quantity of raw Cocaine valued at US$100 million concealed among frozen goods owned by SONIT Inc. 

Liberian law enforcement authorities have arrested two suspects, including Malam Conte, a 31 – year – old Guinea Bissau national, and Issam Makki, a Lebanese national said to be residing in Liberia.

Authorities here are said to be pursuing others linked to what has been described as the biggest single drug syndicate busted in the country’s history. Editing by Jonathan Browne

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NewDawn

The New Dawn is Liberia’s Truly Independent Newspaper Published by Searchlight Communications Inc. Established on November 16, 2009, with its first hard copy publication on January 22, 2010. The office is located on UN Drive in Monrovia Liberia. The New Dawn is bilingual (both English & French).
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