Constable and Civilians to be Charged for Illegal Firearm in Cayo
Franklin Ramirez
The proliferation of guns and ammunition across the western border near Benque Viejo del Carmen is a recurrent problem that is openly acknowledged by the Belize Police Department. But tonight, gun-running of illegal weapons from Guatemala at the hands of a cop takes on a totally different complexion for the department. On Monday night, a team of officers pulled over a vehicle in the Cayo District. It’s not clear whether the stop and search of the white Ford Explorer was calculated, or if it was simply a routine checkpoint along the George Price Highway that led to the discovery of the stolen firearm and three cartridges. What is certain is that a police officer attached to Precinct Two in Belize City was indeed an occupant of the vehicle, along with three others, including a woman.
Trevor Dean Brown
Police Constable Franklin Ramirez and civilians Trevor Dean Brown, Elorey Graham and a seventeen-year-old minor have been arrested for possession of an illegal firearm. They are also being investigated in connection with a similar discovery involving a shotgun found on a commuter bus in Cayo. Commander of Operations, Assistant Commissioner of Police Edward Broaster provides the details.
ACP Edward Broaster, Operations Commander
“At about 9:50 p.m., the Mobile Interdiction Team intercepted a white Ford Explorer which was driven by a police constable and three other occupants where a search was conducted on that vehicle and was subsequently escorted to the Police Training Academy where a secondary search was conducted, where members of the Mobile Interdiction Team discovered a nine millimeter pistol which was concealed under the glove compartment. The four occupants have since been detained and will be facing charges today. The police officer will additionally face disciplinary charges for the firearm in question. This occurred around mile fifty-six in the village of Ontario whilst the vehicle was heading toward Belmopan from the Cayo District, from San Ignacio I must say. We also discovered three magazines in the vehicle.”
Elorey Graham
Reporter
“Are you all aware of any criminal conspiracy between these persons or any suspected criminal conspiracy between these persons?”
ACP Edward Broaster
“Well based on the discovery and a previous discovery, we are investigating this matter very seriously and I cannot comment any further on what might be the motive of this smuggling of firearms.”
Reporter
“A previous discovery where sir?”
ACP Edward Broaster
“A shotgun that was found on a bus coming from Cayo.”
Reporter
“Are the other people that are involved known to police?”
Edward Broaster
ACP Edward Broaster
“Not that I know of.”
Reporter
“And what’s going to happen to the officer? Is he currently detained?”
ACP Edward Broaster
“Everyone will face criminal charges and the officer will face additional disciplinary charges by the police disciplinary tribunal.”
