Monrovia, Sept. 21 -- A shipment that triggered alarm this weekend over suspected cocaine and heroin has tested negative for narcotics, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency says, in a reversal that clears those named in connection with the cargo and instead points to commercial herbal supplements as the likely contents.

By Rodney D. Sieh, Rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com

The shipment - nine cartons shipped via DHL from Malaysia, declared on their labels as botanical powder, coffee and candy and weighing a combined 202.5 kilograms - had already cleared customs at Roberts International Airport, with $437.65 in duties, levies and GST paid, before it was flagged during a subsequent clearance attempt at a DHL warehouse.

A Favor, and a S...