Police Deny Any Development in Case of Missing Fishermen

Giovanni Murillo

One month ago three Belize City fishermen – Donovan Usher, Giovanni Murillo and Jerome Bowen – went out to Turneffe for a day. They never returned and are presumed dead. Following the disappearance family members immediately pointed fingers at the Coast Guard, since the men had previously had unpleasant encounters with those guardians of the sea. Five Coast Guard officers, those on patrol in the area of Turneffe when the men disappeared, were briefly questioned by Police and then released. But tonight we are told that there are some developments in the case. News Five has confirmed that two of the Coast Guard officers detained after the disappearance were picked up again by Police and held over the Independence weekend. One of those men, we are told, was detained in Benque on Friday afternoon on instructions from Belize City C.I.B. He was transported to Belize City and kept in lockdown on Queen Street until Sunday night, then released. Although we have confirmed that detention by multiple sources, CIB officials maintain that they did not apprehend any Coast Guard officers, and there is no update in the case. CIB also dismissed reports that the vessel in which the three fishermen disappeared has been recovered.