GSU’s bust of uncustommed alcohol goes to Court
Ronell Gonzales
Two weeks ago the Gang Suppression Unit uncovered an assortment of contraband liquors and cigarettes when they raided an apartment of the Ketz Apartment Complex on Lizarraga Avenue. Twenty-eight year old Ronell Gonzales was arrested and today he appeared before Magistrate Dorothy Flowers and pleaded not guilty to Recklessly Harboring Uncustommed Goods. The GSU recovered bottles of Sunrise Wine, Johnny Walker Black Label Whisky, Bailey’s, Grey Goose and Absolut Vodka as well as forty-five cartons of Marlboro, Benson and Hedges and Vogue cigarettes. The total value of the goods is placed at ten thousand, one hundred and twenty dollars and sixty cents and the Customs Investigation Unit, is seeking a fine of three times that amount, which means that if found guilty Gonzales will pay over thirty thousand dollars. Gonzales will return to court on October fourth.
This fool needs to be jailed. He managed to escape murder charges and this is what he does with his new found freedom. When given the chance to change your life, you should jump at the oppurtunity bc you won’t be so fortunate all the time. They should lock his @$$ up. It would be one less stress for his poor mother.
Shouldn’t the customs department handle cases where contraband is in the country? the G.S.U. has caused enough trouble already, and you want them to take over more roles, that other departments within government can do capably on their own, and without the bad press the G.S.U. attracts.
Great job GSU! This goes to show that the GSU is also being responsible to report illegal business. Contraband is illegal and it damages our economy. I never see customs checking for contraband except at the border, they cannot even handle the border much less beyond that. I feel it is a good thing that GSU getting the job done not only with guns and drugs but also with contraband. I see no problem here. Way to go GSU, arrest all criminals, cuz a criminal is a criminal no matter the crime. No discrimination, just do it!
Contraband doesn’t damage our economy – monopolistic importers-cronies of GOB and ludicrous customs duties and taxation of goods that nobody makes in Belize does.
I can understand high duties in order to protect local manufacturers and workers, but what most goes on in Belize is protecting profits of connected importers so they can build their palaces and making sure Belizeans pay double for everything not produced here and stay poor.