By Solomon T. Gaye
Police, over the weekend, arrested several persons in Ganta, Nimba County, as the World Food Program’s alleged rice thievery investigation heats up in Monrovia.
Speaking in Ganta, police named the Ministry of Commerce Inspector, Alphanso Miamen, businessman Romeo Yealue, businessman Sam Zourpeawon, and National Identification Registrar Bangarlee Kamara, as suspects to the alleged crime.
According to Police, 10 bags of the 50 kg stolen rice were retrieved pending investigations.
The police disclosed that the preliminary investigation in Monrovia is using suspect Sekou Sesay who has linked the four suspects that led to their arrest.
During the run-off of the just ended senatorial by-election in Nimba, police, backed by PSU, arrested Inspector Miamen along with the three suspects, who are now detained at the police station in Ganta.
The arrest and detention of senior government officials like Miamen and Bangarlee Kamara along with the two businessmen are creating serious concerns among the residents in the county.
When contacted, the CSD office confirmed the arrest of the four suspects and referred this paper to contact the police headquarters in Monrovia, adding, “The arresting team came from Monrovia while, the LNP said, the truck was carrying the stolen rice to Southeastern region; how these gentlemen got connected to the rice saga, I don’t know.”
When this paper contacted the Commerce Inspector General, Dorr Cooper, via mobile phone, about the arrest and detention of the senior Inspector of Commerce in Nimba, he remained tight-lipped up to press time.
Since the arrest and transfer of MOC senior Inspector Miamen to Monrovia, the Ministry has continued to remain tight-lipped over the issue. However, investigations continue.
