Claim: "The owner of Private Bar was released from Prison and is out of Liberia."
Source: Journalist Abraham Wheon and Social Media Users
Verdict: Misleading and False
Full Text: On August 11, 2026, broadcaster Abraham Wheon posted on his Facebook page claiming that Leroy Harris, the owner of Private Bar Entertainment Center, who was arrested by joint security forces in connection with Liberia's high-profile US$317 million illicit drug investigation, had been released from prison.
Wheon's post read: "Wow! So cocaine suspect Leroy, who gave Gregory's LNP internet lawyers, called for a preliminary examination at the City Court, and when the court sent for him at South Beach today, they said the guy ran away. JNB mehn. Hahahha."
A similar claim appeared on the Facebook page of Aloysius Howe, a supporter of former President George Weah, attracting 88 reactions, 71 comments, and 42 shares.
Howe shared a post from a social media user named Raso, who reported that he had had a conversation with Harris. In a separate video (24:26–25:20), Raso is heard saying that Harris is in Spain and is not in prison as claimed by Liberian authorities.
Harris is identified by investigators as a suspect in the July 21 seizure of 3,971 kilograms (8,754 lbs.) of cocaine, valued at an estimated US$317 million. The drugs were intercepted in Duazon, near Roberts International Airport.
According to prosecutors, Harris contacted several security and law enforcement officials in the hours following the seizure, allegedly attempting to facilitate the release of the cocaine shipment. Investigators further allege that he offered substantial sums of money to influence the outcome of the case.
He now faces an array of serious charges, including drug trafficking, money laundering, economic sabotage, unlicensed importation and possession of illicit drugs, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, and criminal solicitation.
What investigators have yet to publicly explain is how the entertainment center allegedly fits into a sophisticated international drug trafficking operation that routed cocaine through Roberts International Airport. Authorities have not disclosed whether the establishment allegedly served as a meeting point, a financial conduit, or played another role in the operation.
Verification: We contacted Raso to verify the videos he posted, and he responded: "Leroy isn't in Liberia."
To verify this claim, Atty. Gabriel Ndupellar, Assistant Minister at the Bureau of Corrections, Ministry of Justice, confirmed that Harris is in prison as of August 11.
We also found an article by ELBC News reporting that a preliminary hearing was held, during which the prosecution told the court it would produce witnesses to testify in the case against defendant Harris.
Magistrate Ben Barco, during the hearing, said the matter was above the City Court's jurisdiction and was non-bailable, and accordingly ordered the Sheriff to escort the defendant to Monrovia Central Prison.
Cllr. Siaffa Bahn said that taking Harris to prison must come with a commitment from the court and that before a commitment is issued, a charge sheet must first be drawn up by the Police.
Conclusion: The circulated claim made by journalist Wheon, political supporter Howe, and social media talk-show host Raso that Harris is not in prison is false. ELBC News and prison authorities confirm that Harris is incarcerated.
