The Grand Jurors for Montserrado County have indicted several individuals on multiple charges, including economic sabotage, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, and theft of property, in connection with stolen drugs at the Center Medicines Store (CMS) at its Duala warehouse.
According to the indictment, between April 1 and September 30, 2022, within the area of Caldwell, specifically at the Center Medicine Store, the defendants allegedly conspired and facilitated, with wicked and criminal intent, the theft of drugs valued at over $488,428.50, which were intended to save the lives of many Liberians.
Those indicted include defendants Jianjay Moore Porter, Bendu Mamie Walley, Mamadou Sow, Cecelia Kumba Blama, Alex Kokolia, Winston Longan, Baimba J. Adam, Mathilnue Dukuly Fahnbulleh, Comfort K. Falkornia, and Joseph Guddah. Other indictments include Security Agent Peter Dioh from the Security Expect Guard Agency of Liberia (SEGAL), along with Brown (to be identified), John T. Harris, Moses Dean, Henry Flomo, Benetitus J. Sarteh, Archie S. Gayem, Korpo Feteku, Love M. Kamar, Moses Y. Werelleh, Rose Zammie, Carmelia S. Brown, Antoinette S.D. Jaiah, Mercy Johnson, Rebina S. Bono, Winston Longan, Kolu Zokabolor, J. Ebenezer Yelorbah, and others yet to be identified.
Count one of the indictment reveals that these individuals are employees and security personnel of the Center Medicine Store (CMS) in Caldwell. The indictment further states that these defendants, without fear of God, conspired with wicked criminal intent to surreptitiously steal and carry away drugs donated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to the Liberian Government—medications intended to save the lives of Liberians in dire need of medical supplies across the country.
According to the indictment, defendant Baimba Adam, the assistant warehouse manager, received the Artesunate Injectable on September 13, 2022, but failed to provide the original copies of the waybill and goods received note (GRN) to the data clerk for processing. This created a situation where the injectable could not be accounted for in the M-Supply System of the CMS under the Ministry of Health.
Investigations further revealed that during an internal audit conducted by CMS from April to September 2022, it was established that 30,608 packs of Artesunate injectables valued at $30,320.80 could not be located in the warehouse. Additionally, another batch of Artesunate injectables worth over $60,000 was also unaccounted for.
The indictment indicates that over $375,973 was missing and could not be accounted for, including more than $112,455 worth of Artesunate injectables. At the conclusion of the internal audit, it was noted that a grand total of $488,428.50 was missing from the warehouse without any explanation.
The alleged actions of the defendants and others to be identified are clear violations of Sections 15.80 and 15.81 of the Criminal Procedure Law of Liberia, which constitutes a first-degree felony. Section 15.80 states: “A person is guilty of a first-degree felony if he: (A) knowingly conspires or colludes to defraud the government of Liberia; (B) knowingly creates an opportunity for any person to defraud the government of Liberia or another; or omits to do any act with intent to enable another to defraud the government of Liberia.” Chapter 15, Section 15.81 further states: “A person is guilty of a first-degree felony if he: knowingly steals, takes, purloins, or converts for his own use and benefit or the use of another; or without authority, sells, conveys, or disposes of any record, voucher, money, or thing of value of the government of Liberia or any Ministry, Agency thereof, or corporation.”
The defendants have been indicted on multiple charges, including economic sabotage, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, and theft of property, and are pending court trial.
