UNMIL clarifies “Fake UNMIL Man” story

The United Nations Mission in Liberia has clarified that a man recently arrested with illegal drugs by the Drug Enforcement Agency at the Sanniquellie checkpoint in Nimba County, impersonating as an UNMIL employee was attired in UNMIL’s transport uniform and not in a UN police uniform as reported in The NewDawn on 1April 2015.

“UNMIL has verified that the suspect in this case previously worked as an individual contractor for the Mission’s Transport Section for three months in 2013 and did not return his uniform upon completion of his contract”, reads a clarification written by UNMIL to this paper on Monday.

According to the Mission, DEA officials disclosed that the suspect was arrested on Tuesday, 17 March 2015, for the alleged possession of illegal drugs while attired in UNMIL’s transport uniform and not in UN police uniform. It added that the uniform in question, has been recovered and the case is under investigation by law enforcement agencies. 

The 33-year-old suspect, Fomba Weh, was arrested by DEA agents allegedly while in possession of narcotics at the Sanniquellie checkpoint, on his way from Ganta.

DEA Nimba County Commander, Col. Julius C. Karnubah, told The NewDawn correspondent in the county that suspect Fomba  was carrying 5.9 grams of Italian White, a powdery substance  with a street value of US$175.00.

The substance is sniffed by users and gets the brain dizzy with sniffers experiencing loss of balance.  

The suspect told this paper that he is not an UNMIL employee, but wore the uniform in order to transport the drugs.

He is identified as hailing from Grand Bassa County, but currently a resident of Bong County.

DEA agents have arrested scores of suspected traffickers in the past both in Nimba and Bong counties where locals grow marijuana for commercial purpose.

By Ben P. Wesee