THE EDITOR Sir:
I'VE JUST read a letter from a woman whose family was scammed by the police. I, too, had a similar experience.
Just before Christmas last year, I was travelling in a rental car with a Rasta who was serving as my guide and driver. He asked me to hold a small bag containing ganja for a spliff, explaining that the police don't hassle tourists because it is "bad for business".
We encountered a roadblock just outside of Falmouth. The police thoroughly searched my companion, then ordered me out of the car and grabbed my purse. Once he found the small bag, he hollered to his partner, "I found ganja, she is my prisoner." I was handcuffed and forced into the back of the police car, while the officers dismissed the other cars also summoned to pull over. The officers searched all my luggage.
After nearly an hour, the police allowed my companion (who had no driver's licence) to drive into Falmouth while we followed at a distance behind him. Upon reaching our destination, I was told by the police to walk casually to my companion, who would explain what I was to do. We were not at a police station, but at a 24-hour bank machine where I had to withdraw $9,000 and hand it to my companion, who in turn handed the money over to the police.
When he returned to the car, he simply stated that the policemen needed something extra to make the holidays brighter. Needless to say, this did not make my holiday any brighter. I will never return to Jamaica and will caution all potential travellers to visit other Caribbean destinations. I never expected this from those who have sworn to uphold the law.
I am, etc.,
STILL DISGUSTED
watergirl876@msn.com
Sacramento, California
Via Go-Jamaica
