STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Delaware State University’s Lacrosse Team Bus Searched For Drugs In Georgia, Sparking Outrage

The team was traveling home on a charter bus after competing in Georgia and Florida.

Georgia police are facing backlash after video from a traffic stop emerged of them searching the bus of Delaware State University’s women’s lacrosse team.

According to CBS Philadelphia, the incident took place on April 20 as the HBCU’s lacrosse team traveled home on a charter bus after playing three games in Georgia and Florida. Cops on the scene were reportedly searching the bus for drugs in what the university called a “humiliating process.”

The male bus driver, along with mostly everyone on board the charter, was Black. He was reportedly pulled over for driving in the left lane and was asked to step out of the vehicle. That’s when Pamella Jenkins, the team’s head coach, says they notice something peculiar.

“One of my student-athletes says they have dogs going through our things and we’re all like ‘What?’ So we go to the side of the bus and we’re looking and they’re pulling our luggage out from underneath the bus and they have a dog there sniffing through the bags,” Jenkins said.

RELATED: Black Kansas City, Mo. Cop Sues Police For Racially Profiling Him In Traffic Stop

After the police dogs began sniffing bags, deputies from the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office then reportedly came onto the bus to address its occupants, as one of the player’s cellphones captured what happened.

“You guys are on a lacrosse team, correct? If there is something in there that is questionable, please tell me now because if we find it, guess what? We’re not gonna be able to help you. You are in the state of Georgia,” an officer says in the video.

For nearly 30 minutes police tore through the team’s belongings, even unwrapping a gift given to one player by her aunt in Georgia.

“I was upset at the accusatory tone of the officer,” Jenkins said. “It was known that we were a lacrosse team. Honestly, scared. I tried to stay composed, to lead by example.”

In a statement, DSU’s president Dr. Tony Allen said: “We do not intend to let this or any other incident like it pass idly by. We are prepared to go wherever the evidence leads us. We have video. We have allies. Perhaps more significantly, we have the courage of our convictions.”

Both Dr. Allen and coach Jenkins say they’re proud of how their athletes carried themselves, showing both grace and self-respect during and after the incident.

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.