Woman detained for obeah, oils, sprays

After leaving a ‘candle shop’ and having her belongings searched by a cop in downtown Montego Bay yesterday, a young woman was told that she would be detained for practising obeah.

This declaration did not go down well with several commuters who witnessed the incident, as they hurled a barrage of abusive words at the policeman.

The incident unfolded about 11 a.m. immediately after the female emerged from the popular candle shop.

It is said that the female and another woman, who identified herself as a sibling, were about to pass the cop who was on an operation in the area.

THE STAR understands that the cop stopped the female and told her that he wanted to search the bag she was carrying.

The female readily agreed, and the lawman proceeded to carry out the search.

In the watchful eyes of the public, he removed several items that were tightly wrapped with newspaper. It is said that he asked the female what they were, and he was told that they were personal items.

The cop then tore away the paper, and discovered that the items were oils, magic sprays and incense.

Amazement of the crowd

To the amazement of the crowd, the policeman told the female that the law stipulates that if he comes upon any item which he believes is being used to cause harm to others, then the individual in possession of the items could be arrested and charged.

After being shown the woman’s identification card, it is said that the cop escorted the female towards the nearby police station.

“Da policeman deh a madman,” one commuter shouted.

Another woman at the location said: “A wah wrong with da fool fool policeman yah. A since when police start lock up people fi buy goods a candle shop. It look like him lick him head. Him don’t know what the woman buy di tings fa. Suppose a duppy deh pon har and har family dem, and she a try fi protect herself. “

Interestingly, the incident occurred a day after Justice Minister Delroy Chuck signalled that the ritual could soon become legal. Chuck revealed that the Law Reform Department has been instructed to craft another submission for him to take to Cabinet to have the 1898 Obeah Act repealed.