Chinese Businessman Arraigned for Purchasing Stolen Guatemalan Vehicle

Jian Huan Jiang

A Chinese businessman, Jian Huan Jiang, who bought a stolen vehicle in 2011 faced the music in court today. Jiang was found guilty of one of two offenses brought by the Customs Department for acquiring possession of an uncustomed vehicle, which was stolen from Guatemala and brought into Belize without paying duties.  He was additionally charged with recklessly acquiring possession of a vehicle with a tampered VIN, but that charge did not hold up in court. Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser ordered that he pay the triple street value of the vehicle which is one hundred and forty-nine thousand dollars. The magistrate noted in her ruling that she was satisfied that the prosecution had proven that duties had not been paid on the Mitsubishi.  Jiang has until December thirty-first to pay the fine.  His trial began about two years ago when two persons were charged with different offenses for the vehicle, but only Jiang’s case proceeded to court. The evidence that unfolded in the trial revealed that the vehicle had three different owners including Jiang. The original owner of the vehicle lived in Guatemala; the evidence also showed that the VIN number of another Mitsubishi owned by a Mennonite was placed on Jiang’s vehicle.  The Custom’s Department launched an investigation and discovered the discrepancy with the VIN number and took Jiang to court.