Mischievous Austrians fined for attempted insurance scam

Two Austrians found themselves entangled in the local legal system and on Monday, faced charges of Possession of a Controlled Drug. While travelling by bus from Punta Gorda to Belize City, Andreas Erker reported to police that his knapsack, containing his camera and cell phone, was stolen. Police became suspicious, did not buy his story and searched his room at North Front Street Guest House located in Punta Gorda. They not only found the supposedly lost belongings, but also discovered two point three grams of cannabis. Erker and his hotel-mate, Bernhard Schwaberger, appeared in court on Monday. The duo was charged for the cannabis and Erker was additionally charged with Committing a Mischievous Act. Both men pleaded guilty and were fined and paid three hundred dollars each. Erker had to pay an additional hundred dollars for the false report. Police believe that the men made the false report in an attempted scam to hustle insurance benefits and be financially reimbursed when they returned home.