7 News Belize

Darrell Henry Claims GSU Harassment
posted (May 28, 2015)
Darrel Henry was in the news around Christmas of 2014 because police seemed determined to have him under remand for the holidays and they did.

But he says since then the police harassment has continued and it's getting worse - even affecting him when he is on his job. But this time when the police caught him he caught them on camera - and used it as proof to tell us of his plight.

Jules Vasquez reporting
This is surveillance video from Toto's store on Church Street. As the time stamp shows, it is after 2:00 pm on Friday May 22nd.

The GSU pulls up in a pickup truck and proceeds to question a man they know well, Darrel Henry. He says they ask him if he works; at Toto's. He confirms that he does, and to make sure two officers go inside to question the business owner who also confirms it.

Five days later at almost exactly the same time, the unit pulls up on Henry on what they now know is his jobsite and waste no time. He narrates the encounter for us.

Darrel Henry, Harassed by GSU
"They harass me on my job site again. They threw me on the ground. I am tired of these men. They threaten that how they will kill me too. They whisper that in my ears."

Jules Vasquez
"But so what we are looking at here? They are searching you. Did they say what they are searching for?"

Darrel Henry, Harassed by GSU
"They didn't say what they were searching me for. They just threw me on the ground and try to disrespect me and humiliate me. They want to hurt me. They tell me that they want to hurt me. They threaten my life."

Jules Vasquez
"I see they take off your shoes. Why did they take off your shoes?"

Darrel Henry, Harassed by GSU
"I don't know. You should ask them that. I don't know what they are searching for."

Jules Vasquez
"Now, right here he is loosening your hair. Explain to me what happened? Is he looking for drugs in your hair?"

Darrel Henry, Harassed by GSU
"That must be what they were looking for. He whispered in my ears and told me that he will kill me too and that they runs things out here."

Jules Vasquez
"He said he would kill you right there. Is that for real?"

Darrel Henry, Harassed by GSU
"That's for real. He whispered in my ears and told me that."

Jules Vasquez
"Who is he referring to?"

Darrel Henry, Harassed by GSU
"I know who."

Jules Vasquez
"Is it somebody that you've killed or is it somebody that they want you to think they've killed?"

Darrel Henry, Harassed by GSU
"What they killed, or who they know they killed."

Jules Vasquez
"Who is that person?"

Darrel Henry, Harassed by GSU
"Arthur Young."

Jules Vasquez
"So what's happening right here. I see you kneeling. You have your hands behind your head."

Darrel Henry, Harassed by GSU
"They put me down and told me to put my hands behind my head and ask me where I live and my name and my particulars."

Jules Vasquez
"Let's be argumentative. Let's say I am the police and I see you at the front looks like you are hanging out."

Darrel Henry, Harassed by GSU
"I was hanging out. They came ask the store owner if I work there and he told them that I work there. They came back again the next day."

Jules Vasquez
"So, you're gainfully employed there. Now sir, you have had interactions with the GSU before. You spent Christmas in jail."

Darrel Henry, Harassed by GSU
"That's what they did to me. They harass me. You know what they sang for me? Merry Christmas and a happy new year. They humiliate me and disrespect me. I am tired of them."

Jules Vasquez
"Now, you have an old saying in creole and I have to be the devil's advocate here. You have an old saying in creole saying 'nobody stones empty mango tree.' Maybe you are knowledgeable of certain underworld activities or involved in certain underworld activities. I ask to ask you straight up. Is that the case?"

Darrel Henry, Harassed by GSU
"No. That why I have a job. I want to know who is me. Nobody. You understand. I am tired of these men. From yesterday I came here angry, because I am tired of these men. That's why I came here, because I am tired of it and I can't take it anymore. Anytime they see me, they humiliate me and disrespect me for no reason. I have no criminal record. Go and check my criminal record."

Jules Vasquez
"Has this happened at other places sir?"

Darrel Henry, Harassed by GSU
"All the time. Whenever they meet me in my vehicle, they harass me and threw me on the ground. I am in my 30s, I am not a little boy anymore. Don't come and disrespect me and humiliate me all the time. I am tired of them and that's why I came here to the media."

The GSU says it has intelligence that Henry is peddling drugs from that location. As you heard, he flatly denies that.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize