Family Says SPU Must Pay for Spoiled Goods

This evening, the nineteen-year-old resident of San Victor visited News Five along with his family. Sister Maria Cowo said that while he was held at the Racoon Street Police Station, officers harassed and beat him, but ultimately no charges were laid after an inspection done by the Customs Department and B.A.H.A. Now according to Cowo, the family wants the officers involved to see justice and to be paid back for their lost goods.

Maria Cowo, Sister of Lauriel Novelo

“He was taken to the police station. As in the video you can see how the police push him, dreg him. Then I have a nex video weh show that they were beating him in the car at the market. And as he reached [Racoon Street Police Station,] you can see it in the video that one of the officers kicked him to push him toward the office.”

Maria Cowo

Aaron Humes

“But after all that, I understand he hasn’t been charged, because there was an inspection done on the avocados and they were found to be not contraband?”

Maria Cowo

“No. He wasn’t charged, because the same officer took him to the Customs compound. Customs took control of it. When I reach Customs told me what they are going to charge him for; I told him my brother is not taking no charge for more stuff; there was only six sacks of avocados and one sack of mamie; the next two sack what the officers put in the pickup is not for him. I really [want to ask] Mr. Chester Williams, please take [a look into this matter.] I need to mek the officer weh take my brother [and] harm him to get justice and I need the officers to pay [for] my goods. They are not good. When I took them this morning from the compound, I went to do the report and showed the officer – I have pictures for it – the avocados are not good. So I ask him to tell the officers that did this to pay [for] my goods.”

As noted, Novelo has made a complaint to the Professional Standards Branch.