UN Staff Fired Over Child Porn, Transporting Drugs in UN Vehicle

A report documenting criminal actions within the UN from the beginning of the year until June 30 shows four staff members were fired for storing and sharing child pornography and another for using an official vehicle to transport marijuana.

The management report contains information about criminal cases as well as disciplinary actions, but does not provide details on which countries the staff members were from. There are approximately 41,000 UN staff from 188 countries across the globe.

The management report did not include cases that involved their peacekeepers, who have been riddled with accusations this year of misconduct and sexual abuse in the Central African Republic.

As of September, 17 UN peacekeepers have been accused of sexual exploitation in the region.

The UN mission "condemns in the strongest possible terms any instance of sexual exploitation and abuse committed by UN personnel in the CAR," they said in a statement.

No details were provided regarding the four staff members who were dismissed over the child pornography.

The staff member who was caught using an official UN vehicle to transport marijuana was busted with approximately 173 kilograms (381 pounds) of marijuana, Reuters reported.

"While the United Nations can and does follow up with Member States, the national authorities concerned have the sole prerogative in determining what, if any, investigations or proceedings are initiated against the individuals," U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq said in a statement.

He said it was also to the national authorities to determine "what, if any, update to provide to the United Nations."