And while that was last night, today the tone was different. The Smiling's had - as they say - "lawyered up" - and are preparing to sue the Government.
Their attorney Arthur Saldivar explained why at a press conference in their parking lot today:
Arthur Saldivar - Attorney for the Smiling Family
"They violated the rights of Mr. Smiling, his business, and the workers that he had here. They were held against their will, falsely imprisoned within the establishment. They couldn't leave; deliveries to the business could not be made. So, actual loss occurred, and the reputation of this man - a reputation that has been guarded well over the years, and has been cultivated well over the years - is now in question as a result of the actions of the police. The law is that where persons are arrested or detained - as was the case yesterday, and it is deemed to have been without reason - are due compensation."
Rowland Parks - Reporter Press
"How would you measure what you just said against provisions of the police laws which enables the police to carry out their functions, such as searching and so on?"
Arthur Saldivar
"Well, the Police Act is the subsidiary legislation. It comes under the constitution; it doesn't supercede it. We are talking, again, about a man who, for more than 20 years, has been a commissioner of the Supreme Court, a Justice of the Peace. We are talking about his son, who is the coach of the under-17 basketball team for Belize, who has never had an issue of being arrested - an athlete of national renown."
Matthew Smiling - Manager and Resident at the Property
"I've represented my country, and I think that I have done it faithfully. And most importantly, a lot of people don't know that I've done it without any pay. Nobody can find anything that said that I signed any contract, or I got paid for doing any coaching jobs. Everything is done out of my heart - a lot of times, out of my pocket also. So, it was shocking to me to find that I'm the present U-17 national team coach, to be treated this way. They said that they acted on a report that I have a large quantity of drugs in my property. Now, I am an alleged drug dealer. Now, my reputation has been tarnished. I don't know who I can turn to now, to repair that reputation. Like I said, I am still the junior national team coach. What can I tell these kids now? I will be looked upon as an alleged drug dealer. My family will be looked upon - again - as a family of alleged drug dealers. Who could I turn to for answers? Will I get any apology for this? Where can I go to for someone to say, 'Okay Matthew, we are sorry, but we will try to build back your reputation?' What should I do now?"
Arthur Saldivar
"Some people may not have been aware of the John McAFee situation, and some people might not have been sympathetic because he is a foreigner. But here, we have a Belizean - not any Belizean - but a Belizean who has contributed greatly to his community, and to his country, and has served his community with distinction. I mean, if a man of distinction can be treated with such disdain and contempt for his constitutional rights, then what about the little man out there."
Winston Smiling - Owner, Smiling Meats
"We have friends who would look at it a very stupid act, but then; you have others who are quick to believe that we are involved in any sort of illegal doing. And, I want to say to the nation, not one Smiling has been ever held and charged for anything."
Saldivar says he plans to file court papers within 7 days and he will sue the Minister of National Security, The Commissioner Of Police And The Prime Minister.
Commander of the GSU, Superintendent Marco Vidal declined comment at this time.
