Confirm seizure of illegal substance
The Seychelles Police have refuted allegation that their officers used excessive force to arrest a suspect during a raid in Port Glaud in the early hours of Tuesday.
Speaking to Seychelles NATION yesterday, the deputy Commissioner, Francis Songoire, said his officers apprehended the suspect according to standard procedure.
It followed allegations made on Tuesday by relatives of a 19-year-old man who said he was injured after police used excessive force to arrest him during the raid.
Relatives claimed he was shot with rubber bullets, pushed to the ground, handcuffed to a railing and repeatedly kicked while lying down.
The teenager is still admitted in the D’Offay Ward, Seychelles Hospital, with injuries sustained to the chest and left knee.
“There was no use of excessive force. As per any narcotic operation, we expect to encounter resistance from the suspects, so we were well prepared,” explained deputy Commissioner Songoire.
He said the police conducted a similar operation to the man’s residence in May this year, where they encountered resistance.
“He was very aggressive towards our officers and managed to flee through the window. We had to seek reinforcement and come back few days later where he surrendered to the police. He had a substantial amount of money and substances we suspected were drugs that date back in May.”
According to deputy Commissioner Songoire, the police intelligence had indicated that the suspect was still actively engaged in illegal activities and the police decided to mount a second operation at his residence this week.
“Based from our last encounter with him, we certainly had to come fully prepared,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner Songoire did not divulge how many officers were involved in the raid. The family had alleged that around 20 officers had surrounded the house.
“I can confirm that just like the previous raid in May, the man was not cooperative at all. He charged towards the officer as he tried to jump out the window and that is when he was hit by a rubber bullet. His knee gave way when he was running,” explained deputy Commissioner Songoire.
Police have also refuted allegation that their officers returned to the residence in the absence of its owner to conduct a search.
“This is not in line with our procedure and they can always file their complaints with our internal affairs section,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the police said they had seized illegal substance on the property they suspect to be hashish and have started legal procedure against the suspect and his partner for both the May and August incidents.
