Department of Environment Investigates Illegal Dredging Near Sunset Caye

Orlando Habet

The Department of Environment is investigating a report of illegal dredging in the southern waters of Belize, near Sunset Caye.  We are reliably informed that the activity for which one Albert Lowen has no permit, was being conducted without the knowledge or approval of the Ministry of Sustainable Development.  When we caught up with Minister Orlando Habet in Dubai, we asked him about the report against Lowen.

Hipolito Novelo

“Albert Lowen, apparently he was being charged or accused of illegal dredging by Sunset Caye.  Can you share details about that?”

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development

 “We know very little because our Chief Environmental Officer was out of the country but he has communicated with his staff back home.  They went out to look at what was happening and their doing their investigation, but certainly what we are looking at is to see if he had any mining permit to do the dredging and to see whether or not he was given environmental clearance from the Department of the Environment of which we are aware he didn’t have.  So whatever he did, accordingly from what we know, it’s illegal and he will be charged.”

Hipolito Novelo

“This is at Sunset Caye right?”

Orlando Habet

“Yes.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Do you know how long he’s been doing that?”

Orlando Habet

“We got the information and as soon as we got the information we acted upon it as quickly as possible.”

Hipolito Novelo

“So is this the same Mr. Lowen who had done some dredging off Placencia, right?”

Orlando Habet

“I am not certain, but there was also a Lowen, I am not sure if it was the same person who at one time, I think, was pulling a boat and something was coming out.”