Trucker blocks barge to collect overdue pay

Everyone in business knows it’s hard to collect past due bills sometimes, but how far would you go to get your money? One Belize City trucker took action against a San Pedro shipping company today by staging a protest at the Barracks. Although his method was unorthodox, and according to the police, illegal, he got his money. News Five was there.

Trucker Keith Hinkson says he’s had enough of Krystal Shipping and early this morning took matters into his own hands and blocked the entrance to one of the company’s barges with his dump truck. Hinskon says the company owes him money for a job done several weeks ago.

Keith Hinkson, Trucker

“I decided to do this so as I could get some attention from Mr. Guerrero because he is not taking me seriously. I work hard for my money like everybody else and I expect to get pay because I have bills to pay as well. And I can’t tell people that I can’t pay you because Mr. so and so didn’t pay me. That is not part of the business deal at all. I think this is the only way I can get things done.”

However, there was little that could get done as people who came to unload their goods were forced to carry their supplies around the truck to get unto the company’s barge and then walk over a plank to get onto the company’s barge. Despite the delay he caused, Hinkson says no one appeared to be angry at him but instead he claims he was praised for his actions.

Keith Hinkson

“I have spoken to people that were here earlier to load things on the barge and they seem to be having the same problem and they all agreed that I have all rights to do what I am doing. So this is something that has happened to other people before, it’s just that nobody took a stand. So I guess I might gain some friends after this.”

The police were called to the scene and informed Hinkson that what he was doing is illegal. Fortunately, they did not have to remove him by force because he left voluntarily, after cashing a check for seven hundred and thirty five dollars which was sent to him by Krystal Shipping. When News Five contacted Krystal Shipping in San Pedro, Abel Guerrero, the General Manager said Hinkson’s drastic measure did hamper their morning business. He said Hinkson was not paid on time because the bill was first misplaced and then he had to leave the country for medical reasons.