By: Emmanuel M. Kangar, Jr.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in collaboration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Department of Justice Diplomatic Security Service, arrested three individuals on April 21 during a routine immigration enforcement operation in Northern Virginia.
Among those taken into custody was 51-year-old Eric Sumo, a Liberian national wanted in his home country for document fraud. Sumo is accused of manufacturing and possessing fraudulent U.S. visas, a crime that had placed him on Liberia’s INTERPOL watchlist. His arrest marks a significant breakthrough in ongoing international efforts to combat cross-border fraud and uphold immigration law.
The operation took place in Fairfax County and led to the apprehension of two additional individuals who were found to be in the United States illegally.
Following the arrests, the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia issued a statement welcoming ICE’s announcement and underscoring the importance of international law enforcement cooperation. The Embassy highlighted the role of the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), whose support was deemed essential in the identification and pursuit of Sumo.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to the Liberia National Police and the Ministry of Justice for their critical support in this case,” the statement read. “Their efforts remain vital in preserving the integrity of Liberia’s identity documents and maintaining the rule of law.”
The U.S. Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to continued collaboration with Liberian authorities to strengthen legal frameworks and promote accountability on both sides of the Atlantic.
