Customs officers clash with contrabandistas

A routine patrol near Yo Creek Village by officers of the Customs Department ended in a tense confrontation over contraband goods. According to police reports, the customs patrol attempted to stop two vehicles, a van and a car that were travelling along the road. While the car sped off, the van pulled over and its two occupants bolted for the bush. Police say a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of ten cases of Mexican beer and seventeen plastic containers filled with gasoline, presumably from across the border. Customs officials were in the process of impounding the items, but the alleged ‘contrabandistas’ were apparently not willing to part with their necessities of life without a fight. Police say the car returned and a group of men, one armed with a twelve-gauge shotgun, began throwing rocks at the customs officers, who had to run for cover. They sought backup from Orange Walk police, but when they returned to the scene all they found was an empty van. Police have since detained one person, identified as the driver of the car, but so far, no charges have been brought against him. The other occupants of the vehicles remain at large.