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police
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Wednesday, 20 February 2013 02:31
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By Donna-Marie McIntosh
Antigua St. John's - Police officers executed a warrant early Sunday on the home of Grant Beggs, senior officer at Her Majesty’s Prison.
Reportedly, officers showed up at his home in Upper Gambles at about 3 am.
The search warrant was for drugs and guns. The effort proved to be futile.
The prison official had reportedly been at home with four of his children - aged 11 to 16. He said three officers were present, along with about five soldiers. Although Beggs said he was not sure where the suspicion stemmed from, and why he was targeted, he felt envy and jealousy were the root cause.
He made a public appeal during a ZDK radio show on Monday asking anyone with real evidence of foul play to bring this to the forefront, and if found guilty, he would resign from his current position.
Beggs will return to work next week, and plans to meet with his seniors to discuss who was responsible for such an allegation. “I have a few vehicles, and the way I live has made some workmates have envy and jealousy towards me,” he said.
As far as this particular matter, and raids on a whole, Corporal Frankie Thomas said the police force acted on information in its fight against crime. It is possible that some sources are frivolous or malicious, he said, although a search can confirm or even clarify a situation.
He said, “Fighting crime is done with the co-operation of the general public. We act on information, then apply at the court for a search warrant, and then turn information into intelligence. The best way to make confirmation is to execute a search warrant. We have the right by power of a search warrant, which must be authorized by the court. Information is the essence of police work.”
70 Comments In This Article
We are too Jealous and bad-minded
Tired of the Rumours
Next issue
gmaa
RE: Prison Officer’s Home Raided
trine
re: madness
Much Respect!
"Let's fix the little things with RWE Before we attempt to fix the big things."
fnpsr
@fnpsr
I have one of those living next to me, right next door, and this man is back and forth every few weeks, bringing stuff back with him, suspicious cars come and go from his house with lights dimmed, he even has an employee. But no, I don't have any evidence so even if I contacted the Police what good would it do? Police need evidence. He brings in the stuff right through our international airport so maybe they need to be looking at customs there too. There is so much corruption in this country (and drug trafficking) going on right under our noses. I'm also scared that somehow he would find out who blew the whistle on him, I have to protect my family.
Madness
Prison officer Search
Resign if found guilty? he would not need to resign then, would he have a choice, he will be fired I'm sure. Not sure if he was advised to take this matter public and via radio but I think he made an error. Keep off the airways and out of the media with this matter, you are not doing yourself any good. That's my bit of advice to you.
Observer 2
re: morris
Much Respect!!
"Let's fix the little things with RWE before we attempt to fix the big things."
fnpsr
@ fnpsr (final post)
Morris
raid
yet the Minister in his press conference said that 73 warrants was issue, of the 73 how many was for the same place in the same month more that 4 times and yet they found nothing, some are for the same house 2 and three times in the same week, only two guns were found from the 73 warrants, so i guess the very common practice by the police to bypass Magistrates and Judges to get warrants signed needs to be addressed urgently.
The many victims of these unfounded acts of intrusion by the state should band together and bring a cause of action against the state for MALICIOUS PROSECUTION, also naming the COP and the Judge that signed the Warrant as defendants.
you Police Officers in Antigua and Barbuda have to check your own doings before you can check others. Your houses might be dirty and in need of thorough cleansing.
kojacks
@ fnpsr
Should the Police stop and treat the children of the well-to-do in ANU who don't work the same way? I can tell you that it does not happen; and they do it in style. The problem with the suggestion is that only poor people will be targeted. This is ANU we are talking about, where the rich and powerful are free to do whatever they want whenever and wherever. I also suggested something to think about, but I notice you didn't respond on that. However, I too enjoy the exchange.
Morris
re: morris
Much Respect!
"Let's fix the little things with RWE before we attempt to fix the big things."
fnpsr
@ fnpsr
I know the feeling. I remember being stopped for ridiculous questions while attending basic training in AL in the 80s, even though I was not driving any vehicle. The only reason I was stopped was because the neighborhood was predominantly white and they wanted to know if I (a black man) knew anyone or had business in the area. Thanks to the other trainees (all white) who were there to speak up for me. We have to be very careful regarding the powers we give to the authorities.
Morris
Prison Officer Raid
sense less
Re: morris - part 3 & final
Much Respect!
"Let's fix the little things with RWE before we attempt to fix the big things."
fnpsr
Re: morris - part 2
I believe that many have said that crime is on the rise and that drugs and money laundering are probable the catalyst driving the increased crime rate. Therefore, it is argumentative and condescending to suggest that Antigua is a society where only the well-to-do can purchase certain things. This is nothing more than "rum-shop talk" and does not advance the discussion.
fnpsr
Re: morris - part 1
fnpsr
@ Morris - Credible Evidence!
Well Said!
Some missed Tenman's two quotes and in flights of fancy, given Historical Antecedents began connecting dots because they know someone and something.
Hopefully, some will take a close reading of the second linked article which provides a line by line legal analysis of the second verse of the Rap Song 99 Problems, which even though american, has significance and provides guidance for cops and perps throughout much of the world with Common Law, Civil Code & Civill Law Systems.
Go Well! Much Respect!
John French II
Office Home raided
Camp Zone
RE: Prison Officer’s Home Raided
The danger of this suggestion by some is that it paints ANU as a caste society where only the well-to-do can afford certain things. Well, here is something to ponder, since some think that only the well-to-do can afford numerous or expensive vehicles, could they be the masterminds behind the importation of drugs and guns into the island? No wonder we can't put a dent in crime and drugs on the island.
Morris
RE: Prison Officer’s Home Raided
gmaa
Re: envy & gmaa
Much Respect!
"Let's fix the little things with RWE before we attempt to fix the big things."
fnpsr
RE: Prison Officer’s Home Raided
yo check dis
RE: Prison Officer’s Home Raided
gmaa
Bad minded people
Envy
99 Problems!
Growing up on the Rock, It was "Bobol". Many houses & businesses were built on Brown & Co., Brysons, Dews, Mendes, Murdocks, Piggotts et al. Fast forward to the recent past of yesterday, Many a petty Officer at Various GoAB Revenue Offices have built, Businesses, Hotels, Apartment Complexes & Huge Haciendas. No need to hide our heads in the sands where the beach is just the beginning & Sun, Sea & Sand make Beauty. Today the terrain has become more violent given the nature of the merchandise & Transactions.Quote:Everyone on the Rock knows someone & something.
The title was a big hit song in 2004. Journey with me on this learning opportunity. This should not be a wild ride but a legal eye opener. The 1st URL is for the "Quickies"! The 2nd is for the Philly Lawyers, Students & Researchers! www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/10/99-problems-law-review-article-jay-z_n_1662922.html
Second - slu.edu/Documents/law/Law%20Journal/Archives/LJ56-2_Mason_Article.pdf
Oh Gad! Pray Wid Mi!
John French II
TRUTH
EX JAIL MAN
RE: Prison Officer’s Home Raided
gmaa
cutie
gmaa
RE: Prison Officer’s Home Raided
gmaa
@ Lord Have Mercy AGAIN
skyewill
@ Lord Have Mercy DEFCON 4?
skyewill
re: united states
Much respect!
"Let's fix the little things with RWE before we attempt to fix the big things."
fnpsr
RE: Prison Officer’s Home Raided
UNITED STATES
What's the fuss?
Reeva
college student
skyewill
re: small minded people - part & final
Much respect!
"Let's fix the little things with RWE before we attempt to fix the big things."
fnpsr
re: small minded people - part 1
fnpsr
correction
fnpsr
re: Antiguan - part 3 & final
Finally, a prison officer has a higher duty of trust, and the public confidence in him should never be shaken, as here.
Much Respect!
"Let's fix the little things with RWE before we attempt to fix the big things."
fnpsr
RE: Prison Officer’s Home Raided
small minded people
re: Antiguan - part 2
I agree wholeheartedly with your statement that "All public servants in high risk positions for bribes/illegal activity should have to declare all their sources of income." This would comport with the Integrity Act. I would go further and make this information public. This would eliminate a lot of the doubt that we have today.
Again, I would agree with you that, "Just because one man might have been able to turn one dollar into many, does not mean that there is anything illegal." This is called investing and taking risk. However, as a public official we need to know what he is investing in and how it is performing. This would be disclosed under the Integrity Act. Again, all doubt and suspicion would be removed. This is called full disclosure!
fnpsr
re: Antiguan - part 1
As a prison official, and one who has sworn to uphold the law, his confidence in the police should be be shaken. Furthermore, his co-workers already have an image, rightly or wrongly, of him. He is aware of it. He says, "I have a few vehicles, and the way I live has made some workmates have envy and jealousy towards me."
The trauma that his family may have endured, is unfortunate, but it goes with the territory. If the family, knew or should have known that he may be engaged in illegal activities and partaking in the spoils, then there would be no trauma. Considering what has been going on at the prison, public information available, the lavish lifestyle and the like, his neighbors may already have a negative image of him.
fnpsr
RE: Prison Officer’s Home Raided
bus
Law Abiding Criminals
Ms Ting
@ Antiguan et al
It is time we get a strong proceeds of crime act like Jamaica. Then the burden is on you to prove the ligitimacy of your assets.
By the way, don't I need money to buy old cars and the parts to fix them up? Things are so expensive in Antigua right now my salary cant even afford 1 old car much less a prison officer's salary. Get real, if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks it probably is a duck.
Research Student
Cant win
Villager
@ Honourable POMPEY
MY WAY OF HELPING
Lavish Living
chupz
Property Search 101
DadliSun
Police are wrong in this case
In return, you have got what again? Nothing!
All public servants in high risk positions for bribes/illegal activity should have to declare all their sources of income.
Just because one man might have been able to turn one dollar into many, does not mean that there is anything illegal.
Each of us has rights, and considering the size of Antigua, the police have ignored this man's right to live without being presumed to be a criminal.
Antiguan
Above the Law?
How dare him act affronted, unless he actually does have something to hide and is hoping that by ranting loudly this time, he will divert attention from him to carry on whatever he may be engaged in.
Come on now, this is very immature behaviour for such a senior officer. The public need not even have known and he ought to have simply felt vindicated that nothing was found. I smell something here. Maybe the police should search again later on! We all know that there is corruption at the prison and it is high time the police try diligently to find the source(s) of it.
Eleanor
re: Tenman
"Let's fix the little things with RWE before we attempt to fix the big things."
fnpsr
ahhh...
marco polo
Cutie
Mrs Beggs
RE: Prison Officer’s Home Raided
Fed Up
context part 2 of 2
tenman
context part 1 of 2
By Martina Johnson - Friday, November 23rd, 2012.
Quote:..
tenman
RE: Prison Officer’s Home Raided
Is this evidence that we aren't ready for appeal courts here or even any court of law? Well, at this time, this situation is not enough for me to use it in my argument against appeal court in Caricom.
However, with real evidence, no one is off limit for a search.
MY WAY OF HELPING
MALICIOUS PROSECUTION
An acusatory statement from even a reliable informant most have police corroboration before a judge can find that there is probable cause for issuance os a search warrant. I do not find anything in this article that points to any form of police corroboration, and the state should be made to pay for the illegal conduct of its agents.
When the government tramples on our civil and human rights we have to fight back. We know that the police is under pressure to produce results, but that does not give them the right to act unlawfully with the aid of a judge. This is ourtageous, because it is happening all over Antigua on a regular basis.
If they do not know what to do call in Skye, Professor and Morris and the other ex-military patriots to lead the "Radication". Jamaica adopted a successful ongoing eradication program to deal with its crime problem. Maybe it time to do something that will definitely work.
Lord Have Mercy
Time to change this ridiculous system
When information is received by the police and they believe the magistrate will question the validity of said claims, they simply go to a “Justice of the peace”, which means anyone who sits on the Board to oversee the rights of prisoners. This Board is comprised of party hacks, who simply receive a monthly pay packet to secure the votes of the family.
This system is so ridiculous, I heard that the “Justice of the peace” simply signs without reading what is presented to him/her. This is now the norm, and needs to be revised.
If the reports have any validity, why not do it through the Judges and Magistrates? By reading these blogs, the public seem to be of the belief Judges and Magistrates actually sign off on these warrants. Nothing is further from the truth.
Dax Rebel
RE: Prison Officer’s Home Raided
UPP take note of what occurred in Grenada.
Election will come and UPP will loose!
fire
Ms
You Police Officers in Antigua and Barbuda have to check your own doings before you can check others. Your houses might be dirty and in need of thorough cleansing.
Helen Carr
chupz
reality
RE: Prison Officer’s Home Raided
GoodJobBob
@skyewill
college student
strengthen and enforce the integrity act
The officer seems to be acknowledging that he has a lavish lifestyle. The question is: is it above his means? In order to ascertain this, it would be necessary for him to disclose his financial information through the Integrity Act. Oh, excuse me! Senior government officials do not have to disclose financial information and even if they are required to do so, no one is reviewing the information and the law requires no public disclosure.
Strengthen and enforce the Integrity Act, to include severe penalties for perjury, and you would not have to be conducting raids at 3 a.m., in the morning.
"Let's fix the little things with RWE before we attempt to fix the little things."
fnpsr
RE: Prison Officer’s Home Raided
I totally agree that crime fighting is a joint effort between the Police and the public; however, where does "credibility" fits into all of this if Corporal Thomas is willing to admit that some sources are frivolous and malicious?
Morris
Now wait a minute
skyewill
Dumb raid
NYC
RE: Prison Officer’s Home Raided
bjsm
RSS