Antivirus software pioneer arrested by Belize police
This story appeared in Caribbean News Now (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands)
(Caribbean News Now (Grand Cayman) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 05—
The raid in the early morning of May 1 by the country’s armed Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) reportedly involved the doors to McAfee’s house being smashed down, his property ransacked, and his dog shot.
After searching the house for drugs and firearms and handcuffing him and his 12 employees, the police detained McAfee for a number of hours before releasing him at 2am the following morning.
No reason has been given for the raid but police reportedly found a cache of weapons including 12 gauge shotguns, handguns, rifles with scopes and ammunition. McAfee said he had presented permits for all but one of the weapons, which were for his company’s security.
“The entire day was an incredible nightmare. This is clearly a military dictatorship where people are allowed to go and harass citizens based on rumour alone and treat them as if they are guilty before any evidence whatsoever is obtained,” McAfee was reported as telling a local TV station after the raid.
McAfee blamed events on his refusal to donate money to “the local political boss” in his locality. No charges have been laid.
“I have a fair amount of money and not much to do. So I spend it where I think it will do good. And I don’t ever invest in politics. I don’t donate to any political party; I don’t have any political affiliations,” he said.
McAfee remains better known for his efforts in helping to create the antivirus industry in late 1980s and his company, McAfee Associates, was one of a small handful of companies that pioneered protection for PCs against viruses.
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