McAfee antivirus developer arrested by Belizean government on false charges while researching natural herbs for drug-resistant bacteria

Thursday, May 10, 2012 by: Ethan A. Huff, staff writer
Tags: McAfee, Belize, arrest

(NaturalNews) John McAfee, founder of McAfee Associates, one of the first software companies to develop anti-virus software for personal computers, was recently arrested and had his house raided by military police in Belize. According to reports, an armed unit known as the "Gang Suppression Unit" (GSU) busted down the doors of McAfee's home, ransacked his property, shot and killed his dog, handcuffed his 12 employees, and took him to jail, all on false charges.

After losing much of his fortune during the early days of the current economic collapse, McAfee sold off his business and relocated to Belize where he started up a few new companies, including one that is currently researching medicinal herbs in the rainforests of Belize for the purpose of mitigating the drug-resistant bacteria epidemic. But it appears as though McAfee somehow landed himself in the crosshairs of the local military dictatorship.

"In the early morning hours of May 1 (2012), a law enforcement arm of the Belize police force, called the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU), raided McAfee's research facility in the northwest district Orange Walk," writes Diane Bullock from Minyanville.com. "The GSU allegedly ransacked the property looking for drugs and firearms, shot and killed McAfee's dog, handcuffed him and his 12 employees, confiscated his passport, and put him under arrest for possessing illegal weapons."

Though released the following morning around 2 a.m., McAfee says there was no reason why he was targeted. All of his weapons are registered and permitted, he said, which debunks the claim that authorities were after him for possessing illegal weapons. If it were not for the help of the American embassy, however, McAfee could still be sitting in prison for no legal cause.

Jackboot raid on McAfee similar to those now occurring in U.S. on family farmers, food cooperatives

Was McAfee the target of the medical-industrial mafia in his new country, which eerily resembles the medical-industrial mafia in the U.S. that has conducted many similar raids in recent years? Or was the whole thing just a big misunderstanding? According to McAfee himself, as reported by Channel 5 Belize, he was merely the target of a corrupt government looking to intimidate and ultimately extort money from him.

"It began, innocently enough, with my refusal to donate to the local political boss of the district where I lived in Orange Walk," McAfee is quoted as saying, hinting that the raid may have been payback for his refusal to kowtow to politics. In his defense, McAfee says he has, on the other hand, voluntarily donated millions to local philanthropies, police departments, and towns in order to improve quality of life throughout the region.

At this time, McAfee is seeking legal advice for how best to handle the situation. Since he was not ultimately charged with any crime, the tyrannous raid and killing of his dog constitutes illegal force under the Belizean legal system, which is based on the common law of England.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.minyanville.com

http://www.pcworld.com

http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/69892