San Pedro Family Remanded

In response to a flare-up of violence in San Pedro which Police believe is directly connected to drug rivals warring, special units have descended on the tourism mecca. One early casualty of the crackdown is the Campos/Hernandez family which is believed to be one of the warring factions. On Wednesday, a special unit of San Pedro Police and Gang Suppression Unit personnel searched the family home, found a weapon and ammunition and arrested ten persons found there at the time. They were transported to Belize City in handcuffs via a Caye Caulker Water Taxi and were shuttled by a police van to the Central Prison in Hattieville. It’s an effective method of bringing some peace to the troubled island, at least for a time, but attorney Oscar Salgado says he won’t stand for it.

Oscar Salgado

Oscar Salgado, Attorney for Campos Family

“I went out to San Pedro on Wednesday having been summoned by my clients the Campos and Hernandez family, where Broaster again descended like an angel upon San Pedro with the intent of ridding San Pedro of all its criminal element and he went to my clients’ home in which he conducted, him and his gang, conducted a search without carrying out the proper procedures. That is they did not invite my clients to accompany them at every step of the way, searching each room methodically. My clients were put outside on the verandah to wait, while the head of the household, Moses Campos, was taken inside the house and made to sit inside a room…and Broaster proceeded along with his gang to search the house, having him inside a bedroom. Inside the hall inside a child’s schoolbag was found a point two-two weapon along with ammunition, where members of the family saw the Police planting it there. These people were taken before the Magistrate on Wednesday. A person that was inside plead guilty to the offence as charged. He took responsibility for it. Yet the Magistrate in her wisdom did not see it fit to discharge the others of the allegation and release them back into the public. They adjourned the matter until the sixteenth of April. I was told that I had to speak to the Director of Public Prosecutions, which I did. And the D.P.P. has informed me today that the proper route is to go to the Police and ask the Police to withdraw the charge because one person has already pled guilty, to withdraw the charge against the others. I have spoken to the Deputy Commissioner and I am told that will not happen.”

Salgado claims that through the media, he is appealing to the Prime Minister and the Commissioner of Police to intercede.