By Danesius Marteh,
Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon wants to know who released Michael or Marcus Browne from prison.
Dillon has vowed to leave no stone unturned and to spare no rod in his collective fight to help rid Liberia of illicit drugs.
This is not a bluff or playing to the gallery as Dillon spends at least US$3,000 of his monthly income to run the Center for Rehabilitation and Reintegration in the Rehab community.
In a post on his Facebook page on 6 July, Dillon was seemingly frustrated by the release of drug kingpin Browne.
Browne was arrested, charged and serving as a pre-trial detainee in Kakata, Margibi County for possessing and trafficking 10 kilograms of Kush.
His release may have gone unnoticed until his connection to the seizure of six boxes of cocaine valued at US$19.2 million at the Roberts international airport (RIA) on 7 June.
Browne, alias Rahim/Raheem Bah, is linked to the organization of the shipment, the use of bogus front companies, the coordination of cargo falsely declared as Maggi cubes and lappas, and the attempts to recover the cocaine after it was discovered.
He has been charged in absentia under chapter 14 sections 84, 85, 89 and 93 of the Amended Controlled Drugs and Substance Act of 2023 and Chapter 10 Sections 2, 3, and 4 of the Revised Penal Code of Liberia.
Browne’s charges include unlicensed exportation of controlled drugs or substances, unlicensed transportation and trading in transit of controlled drugs or substances, unlicensed possession of controlled drugs or substances, illicit trafficking in controlled drugs or substances and criminal conspiracy.
These charges are non-bailable under the drug law but Browne is at large.
Browne would have had no connection to this cocaine case if he was a pre-trial detainee under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice.
But it has been revealed that Browne walked out because Toshey Garnett (fiancée) and Christin G. Cheeks (sister) signed a sheet of paper on 21 August 2024 promising to bring him back for treatment and for trial.
How did Browne, indicted for a first-degree drug felony (a non-bailable) was released from prison?
That’s why Dillon wants to know where are the people who signed as “sureties” for the questionable release and why have they not been arrested, charged and prosecuted for “bail jumping”.
Dillon also wants Judge T. Clapha Carey, who instructed and ordered Browne’s release, must be questioned under the possibility of impeachment and Justice Ministry or authorities who facilitated the release from prison must be made to answer questions and appropriate actions taken.
“Let me hasten to say that immediately upon my return from London next week, we will pursue these issues at the Senate, consistent with our legislative oversight functions, to ensure transparency and accountability.
“In our pronounced fight against illicit and controlled drugs, the chips must fall where they may … without fear or favor!!” Dillon wrote.
The answer sheet to Dillon’s questions is the legislature, which has oversight powers over the executive and judicial branches of government.
Here are a few clues to Dillon’s questions are shown in the exhibits attached to this story.
County attorney, Cllr. H. Deddeh Jomah Wilson, drew up the indictment under sections 14.83 and 14.85 of the amended drug law after Browne was arrested at the RIA on 24 July 2024 after two cartons declared as tea and described elsewhere in the shipping papers as herbal tea and as marshmallow dried leaves had his name.
Major Nelson P. Woah, superintendent of the Kakata central prison, wrote Judge Carey on 19 September 2024, to release Browne on medical ground to one or two of his closest relatives and would be brought back to face justice when he is well and kicking.
Cllr. Alfred B. Holmes, public defender, filed a motion on 19 August 2024 for Browne to be bailed on medical ground for chest trauma requiring a thoracic specialist because Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency officers had beaten him in the chest during his arrest.
A hint to the wise is quite sufficient.
