Washington  - The CIA station chief in Algeria is under investigation for allegedly drugging and raping at least two Muslim women, ABC News reported Wednesday, citing US law enforcement sources.

The probe was launched after two purported victims came forward with the allegations and the agent was subsequently ordered to return home pending the outcome of the US Justice Department investigation, ABC reported.

US officials would not confirm the identity of the station chief or comment on specifics of the case.

"The US takes very seriously any accusations of misconduct involving any US personnel abroad," State Department deputy spokesman Robert Wood said in a statement released Wednesday. "The individual in question has returned to Washington and the US government is looking into the matter."

According to ABC, the two women told US federal investigators sent to Algeria that on separate occasions the 41-year-old station chief brought them back to his residence, where they were drugged before being sexually assaulted.

US authorities obtained a warrant to search the agent's CIA provided residence and discovered more than a dozen videotapes showing the officer engaged in sexual activity with women, ABC said.

The tapes led the Justice Department to widen the investigation to Egypt, where the agent was stationed before Algeria. (dpa)