Protesters Gather to Demand Action after Passports & Immigration Documents Linked to U.D.P. Operative

All hell broke loose in San Ignacio on Tuesday when a knapsack containing one Belizean passport and seven non-Belizean passports were found at a print shop.  A known U.D.P. operative for Cayo North East, Charles Cabral, is suspected to have left the black bag behind. When Police were called in, the passports and supporting nationality documents were retrieved from the bag. To the opposition it brought back flashbacks of the Penner passport scandal so they came out in numbers. A protest was planned for today, but the permit was not granted, still yet a respectable crowd gathered in front of the police station. Police would only say so far that the investigation has been taken over by the Major Crimes Unit of Belmopan and are they are looking for Cabral. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Residents of San Ignacio, primarily avid supporters of the People’s United Party, gathered as a group near Columbus Park earlier today where they protested in front of the police station.  The brief demonstration succeeds the discovery of a knapsack containing personal documents, including passports, police records and birth certificates belonging to several non-nationals.  They strongly suspect that something is afoot once again involving the Immigration and Nationality Department.

Michel Chebat

Michel Chebat, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Cayo North

“We are continuing with the protest we started yesterday.  We are insisting that Mr. Cabral be brought to justice.  Anybody else in this country who commits a crime is detained and questioned and arrested and we want the same to happen.  No, we have no information that he’s been detained or arrested.  He’s not even been questioned yet.  Well we’re going to continue putting pressure until he’s arrested.”

The individual believed to have been in custody of the backpack is Charles Cabral, a former U.D.P. town councilor.  It is unclear; however, if possession of the accompanying documents constitutes a criminal offense it is irregular.  As previously mentioned, there has been no arrest in the matter thus far and an investigation is ongoing.

Marlon Robinson

Marlon Robinson, P.U.P. Supporter

“We are here demonstrating because we are demanding for justice, we are demanding justice.  We understand that there is a criminal organization and a criminal ring of human trafficking going on wanting to steal the 2015 elections.  The U.D.P. are bringing in illegal aliens that had gotten their passports, their Belizean nationalities through illegal means and now they are trying to get them to vote for November.  Definitely they have to carry out their investigation properly and arrest all those who are involved.”

The police department’s says it is exercising objectivity in handling the case, but it has become a political football nonetheless, as stalwarts of the opposition are steadfast in their belief that it is pre-election hanky-panky.

Andrew Ramirez

Supt. Andrew Ramirez, O.C., San Ignacio Police Formation

“In regards to the black bag that was found yesterday, the item along with all its contents have been handed over to the Major Crimes Unit in Belmopan.  Sergeant Westby and his team are now responsible for that investigation.  The latest [information] I can give the media in relation to that aspect that they are seeking the Belizean whose passport was found in the bag for him to be put some questions.”

The knapsack was found inside Studio Seven, a business establishment in San Ignacio Town.  When police were notified of the discovery, a search of its contents was conducted in the presence of P.U.P. standard bearer, attorney Michel Chebat. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.