Alleged Gang Leader Awarded $26K for Unlawful Arrests

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – An alleged street gang leader has been awarded $26,000 in damages after judge found that police arrested unlawfully on two separate occasions. 

Daran Neely, the alleged leader of the Dirty South Gang, was arrested by police in 2015 and 2016.

Neely, who was then represented by current National Security Minister Wayne Munroe, sued over a breach of his rights.

Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder found police officers arrested Neely at his

Pinewood Gardens home on December 24, 2015 on suspicion of armed robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

He was detained until December 26, 2015 and released without charge.

According to the evidence, Neely was arrested on the instructions of Superintendent Fernander.

Sir Ian found that apart from those instructions, the arresting officer didn’t have enough information to form a reasonable suspicion that the offenses were committed.

Neely was arrested at his home on February 3, 2016, for an unknown offense and released from custody on February 8, 2016.

Sir Ian said the attorney general made no attempt to justify Neely’s arrest in 2016.

Neely was awarded $7,500 for his arrest in December 2015 and $14,000 for his arrest and detention in February 2016. He was given $5,000 in aggravated damages because his arrest in 2016 has yet to be explained.The government also has to pay Neely’s legal costs.