Castro brothers’ attorney Herbert Panton recounts detention

The Brothers Castro and the curious case of the unlicensed Wingle, the haul of contraband beer, and their ministerial connections is a story that won’t go away. The arrest of siblings Jafari and Wasani and the subsequent seizure of eighty-nine cases of illegal booze is another embarrassment, as if the cancellation of their father’s diplomatic and tourist visas by the U.S. Embassy two weeks ago wasn’t enough of a disgrace to the Castro clan. While they were never charged for speeding, or any related traffic offenses, the pair was able to settle out of court with the Customs and Excise Department for the confiscated goods though the amount was not disclosed. The shockwaves tonight, however, continues to erupt from the police department, following a decision not to proceed with charges against the duo. That decision, we understand, may have been precipitated by the notion that the officer in question would also be facing counter-charges for the alleged physical abuse of the brothers while in police custody. Earlier today, attorney Herbert Panton, who represents the Castro boys, gives his version of what transpired at the Raccoon Street Police Station on Friday afternoon.

Herbert Panton, Attorney for Castro Brothers

Herbert Panton

“I was called with regards to their detention, this would have been late Thursday morning, I believe it was two or three in the morning, first at the, I think it was Precinct Three Police Station and then they moved them over to Precinct Two.  First of all, my reason for speaking out today is because of the wanton misuse of information that is out there, possibly even forged information, particularly in light of a document I saw on Louis Wade’s television station this morning.  My information was that the two gentlemen were arrested early Thursday morning, about two or three [o’clock] in the morning.  They were detained.  I got the call around nine Friday morning, I was not able to get to the police station, to the Raccoon Street Police Station until around eleven on Friday morning.  When I got there none of my clients were up to that point charged.  So that debunks the first myth that is out there, whether it is that, I hear some saying that they were charged in the Precinct Three Police Station, some say they were charged in Precinct Four, when I got there my first question, and the response given to that question was that your clients have not yet been arrested.  I saw what I surmised to be charge sheets in the hands of the arresting officer, the officer who brought them in, but those charges, up to the point when I got there, were never, and when I left, were never read to my clients.  I was informed that there was an attempt to see if the matter could be dealt with without resorting to court action.  I said fine, no problem.  I participated in a mediation session in that regard.  At the end of that session the person who brought them in indicated that he had no intentions of withdrawing anything and that he would proceed with arresting the gentlemen.  I indicated, because they were obviously battered and bruised, and I asked that medico-legal forms be issued to them so that a counter-complaint could have been filed with regards to the abuse that they suffered at the hands of the police.”

When we contacted Louis Wade this afternoon he said “My documents are authentic and our sources are impeccable. Not a single one of our documents have even been proven fake except when they are authentically faked at the immigration department.”