| Last night we told u about allegations of police abuse by 2 young men who went to spend Easter in Independence. And now tonight there is another credible allegation of outrageous abuse by police.
Carol James, a business woman of Central American Boulevard alleges that corrupt police officers went into her house, found her licensed firearm and then wrongfully detained her fiance.
The incident happened on Wednesday night sometime between 9 and 10. James was out of the country when the officer came to her house. Her fiancé was at home and allowed the men inside. He claims that he told the officers about James licensed 9mm firearm that was inside her drawer with all her documents. The officers still proceeded to detain him for the firearm. But that wasn't all. James fiancé alleges that the police officers told him they would release him if he paid them two thousand dollars in cash - which he refused. And so he was locked down for 7 days! Today the family gave us their story:
Carol James - Claims Police Corruption
"What happen is I got a call from an officer stating that my fiance was locked up and it was best for me to come because they're charging him for my gun that is licensed. So, he said if they're charging him for the gun and the gun is licensed, its best for me to come when he goes to court; I can present my license to the judge. So I flew back to Belize City on Saturday, and I was trying to get in touch with a lawyer but it was a holiday weekend. So, I couldn't get in touch with anybody until Tuesday morning. I got in touch with a lawyer and he told me to go in. I went in; I paid him; I decided to go to Queen Street pick up my fiance's property. I got there, never knowing that the problem would continue; they couldn't find his gold chain. A whole lot was going on, and my Easter was a total wreck. I would never want anybody to experience what I experienced between me and my family. I wasn't here; I was in the States. An officer called me and told me that he was detained, so I decided to come because they said that they found a - one of those plastic bags with a little bit of weed in it and their charging him for unlicensed firearm, and my gun is licensed, so I decide - the officer told me its best for me to come and present my license so I decide to fly back to Belize."
Monica Bodden
"So when the police officers came to your home, did your fiance at any point, told them; 'Well, look there is a licensed firearm inside the house?'"
Carol James
"Yes he did tell them that. He told them to go upstairs in my room. He gave them the key; they opened it. They went inside my drawer where the gun was, the papers was there, even the receipt from where I bought the gun from Brodies for over $5,000 dollars. Everything was there because I'm a very organized person. They took it, so I don't know why they will charge him for a gun that is licensed. My fiancé told them he is not with them with any money, but my nephew who came from the states, he got scared and decided to give them what they wanted. They wanted $2,000 dollars, so my nephew told his friend, Anna, to go to the bank and withdraw $500 dollars - the $2000 dollars but the bank didn't give them $2000 dollars; they only got $500 dollars. So all morning they kept calling that they wanted the balance of the $1500."
Monica Bodden
"Police kept calling your nephew?"
Carol James
"Yes, the police kept calling Anna because she was the one who went and withdrew the money, and they went and meet her and pick up the money in front of the bank. I need my gun back. They kept telling me I will get my gun back. I'm supposed to get it back from Tuesday but today is Thursday and I still haven't got it yet."
Monica Bodden
"In terms of the $500 dollars, it was returned back to you guys?"
Carol James
"Yes, it was returned back to us."
Monica Bodden
"By an officer?"
Carol James
"By the same officer, well while we were at York street police station, Anna came and said that he returned back the $500 dollars to her."
James also claims that 2 of her diamond bracelets and 5 gold rings are missing from the drawer that her licensed firearm was taken from by police. Police sent out a press release late this evening stating that they are investigating the matter and so far their investigation reveals that after James common-law-husband was detained, he handed over the keys to their house, boutique and gate to a neighbor identified as Elaine Arnold. Police have not yet commented on the bribery allegations made against the 5 officers. James has not yet gotten back her license 9mm firearm from police which is valued at five thousand dollars.
| 