Court upholds expulsion of U.S. citizen

Acting Chief Justice George Meerabux has ruled that American reptile dealer Tommy Crutchfield should be expelled from the country. The ruling confirms an order made on February twenty eighth by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dean Barrow. Crutchfield is allegedly wanted in the United States on charges of smuggling animals into the U.S. in violation of the United Nation’s Convention on International Trade in Endangered species. Crutchfield’s attorney, Denys Barrow, challenged the Expulsion Order, declaring that it was a “sham,” made only to satisfy the U.S. government’s desire to get Crutchfield on U.S. soil to face criminal charges. Justice Meerabux ruled that the Aliens Act gives wide and untrammeled powers to the Minister to expel an alien if in the opinion of the Minister it was expedient to do so in the public interest. He added that evidence supported the view that the Minister’s order was needed for a proper purpose and advanced the welfare of Belize. Judge Meerabux gave Crutchfield twenty one days to appeal the decision to the Court of Appeal. In related news President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Kenneth George, has asked all members of the Bar to show due respect to the judges before whom they appear. Justice George made his remarks at a ceremony held in his honor by the Bar Association on Monday night at the Radisson. The Court of Appeals May sitting ended on Tuesday. The next sitting will be in October.