SANTA CLARA (CBS SF) — A Muslim law enforcement officer in Santa Clara claims he was targeted by police prompting calls for an independent investigation.

Mohammed Moneeb is a customs officer who works at the Bay Area’s three airports.

Last February, Moneeb’s uncle was accused of stealing a $400 dashboard camera. The camera’s owner told police the device had eventually ended up in Moneeb’s possession.

Moneeb said officers forced their way into his house without a warrant and questioned him about it.

Apparently, Moneeb didn’t like the way the conversation was going, and asked the officers to leave. They did. Then, 6 weeks later they came back.

Surveillance video shows the police raid that happened when they returned.



Search warrant in hand, authorities showed up with guns drawn, and arrested Moneeb. A team of officers, armed with assault rifles kicked open the door, and spent several hours searching the home.

They never found the dashboard camera. Months later, the camera’s owner who accused Moneeb’s father of stealing it, dropped the charges.

Now, Moneeb’s lawyer Dan Mayfield said the raid was a retaliation with racist overtones.

“It’s that kind of raw police power I see here, that needs to be reigned in,” said Mayfield.

