CIA officers will not face charges in downing of missionary plane
WASHINGTON The Justice Department has decided not to pursue criminal charges against C-I-A officers who were involved in an anti-drug operation that led to the deaths of two Americans. Veronica Bowers of Muskegon, Michigan, and her seven-month-old daughter, Charity, were killed in April of 2001. They were passengers aboard a missionary plane that was shot down over Peru.
The plane was misidentified as a possible drug-smuggling flight, and American contractors were unable to stop Peruvian pilots from firing on the aircraft.
Federal prosecutors in Washington decided this week to not pursue the case.
The incident led to suspension American involvement in drug interdiction flights in Peru and Colombia, but Colombian surveillance flights resumed last year.
A Senate panel has recommended that flights not be resumed over Peru.
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