DEA officers charged with murder

At least eight Action Agents of Liberia’s Drugs Enforcement Agency or DEA and a Deputy County Commander in River Gee have jointly been charged on multiple criminal offenses, including murder and remanded at a court in Fish Town.

Security officials say Deputy DEA Commander in the county, Isaac Karmah and eight co-suspects under his command allegedly raided several homes of cash and gold with combined value of LD$300,000 in Dartorken Town, Tienpo District and flogged a handicap man who died days later.

River Gee County Attorney Wesseh A. Wesseh, told The NewDawn on Tuesday evening, April 14, 2015 that the nine DEA officers have been charged with murder, burglary, criminal conspiracy and theft of property. The suspects are being remanded  in Fish Town.

Attorney Wesseh said the defendants will be indicted during mid-term of court to face prosecution.  

DEA Director Anthony Suah, confirmed here Wednesday, April 15, 2015 that all those accused have been charged and sent to court.

But the DEA boss said he has not gotten the “specifics” yet because the Agency’s investigative team dispatched to the incident scene has not returned to make report to him.

30-year-old physically challenged Darlington Wleh died on Tuesday, April 7, 2015, days after he was allegedly flogged on Saturday, April 4, 2015 by a team of Action Agents of the DEA led by commander Karmah.

The suspects allegedly entered Dartorken Town on Saturday, 4th April at 10 pm, and raided houses of gold and cash. While in the process, they flogged victim Wleh after he reportedly refused to allow them take away his DVD on which he and his visitors were viewing movie.

The DEA agents allegedly discovered a single barrel gun in the victim’s house during their search “without court warrant” which they used to beat him.

A coroner jury immediately set up after the incident found that victim Wleh had bruises on his body with blood oozing from his nose; foam from his mouth and nose and blood on his head, which led them to reach the conclusion that there was foul play.

Eyewitnesses in Dartorken Town told Police investigators that the suspects allegedly flogged victim Wleh; demanded him to give them his DVD and allegedly sprayed his house where he and some five visitors viewing movie.

The deceased allegedly became a handicap two years ago after he fell into pit at a gold mine.

By Winston W. Parley