By Linda Gbartie
MONROVIA: Following the suspension of the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA) Director General, Mr. Abraham Kromah; Deputy Director General for Administration, Mr. Gbawou Kowou; and the Deputy Director General for Operations, Mr. Hassan Fadiga, President Joseph Nuyma Boakai has named Mr. Christopher Peters, as the new Officer -In- Charge (OIC) of the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA).
Mr. Christopher Peters is an American drugs expert and a well-trained security personnel.
On Tuesday, June 4, 2023, President Boakai with immediate effect suspended Kromah, Fadiga, and Kowou due to the recent chaos that took place at the Headquarters of the LDEA.
A statement from the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, signed by Mr. Anthony V. Kesselly, Deputy Minister of State for Public Affairs, on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, stated that President Boakai has ordered an investigation of the event that occurred at the Agency on June 3, 2024.
According to the statement, President Boakai frowned that the acts of disorder and chaos that took place at the LDEA Headquarters were unacceptable and it threatens the public peace and as well undermine government’s fight against illicit drugs.
The President suspension of the three LDEA bosses also comes without pay.
“In the interim, the President has named Mr. Christopher Peters as Office In Charge (OIC) of the Agency pending the conclusion of the investigation,” the Executive Mansion statement added.
Peters is a well-trained security personnel and highly recommended,” the statement said.
It can be recalled that the LDEA has been engulfed with serious tension and confusion involving the three bosses that led to a violent altercation involving Kromah and Fadiga that led to the swift intervention of the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, Mr. Gregory Coleman.
Meanwhile, according to Mr. Christopher Peters LinkedIn page, he explained about himself.
Peters: “I spent six years as a police officer in the United States Air Force as a Security Forces Staff Sergeant, spanning two overseas deployment tours along with service in South Korea and Delaware. At the completion of my active duty enlistment, I re-enlisted into the Air Force Reserves in Aircraft Structural Maintenance. I primarily worked in the C5 Isochronal Inspection Dock for another four years. I now work for the Department of Veterans Affairs Police, as the Operations Captain (currently detailed to Major / Compliance Officer) at the Wilmington VA Medical Center in Delaware. In addition to my military service, I have been involved in volunteer fire and EMS from the age of 14, with various departments in Pennsylvania and Delaware. Over those years, I have served in various capacities including EMS Director of Operations/Chief, EMS Deputy Chief, EMS Assistant Chief, EMS Captain, EMS Quality Assurance Officer, Fire Lieutenant, and Fire Recorder. In administrative roles, I have been a Secretary, Board of Directors member, and Trustee. I worked full time as an EMT in the Hershey/Harrisburg area for six years. Along with my service as a provider, I am also a Pennsylvania EMT Instructor, EVOC Instructor from VFIS, and former CPR Instructor/Trainer (BLS Training Site Faculty) for the US Air Force.”
